They fled Tibet because it was too dangerous. However, they were unable to take their children with them. Twenty-six of the children managed to cross the border into Nepal; 15 travelled on to India. Seven of the children are still in Tibet.

Raise money
The children are between five and 17 years of age. Yolanda Simon, who does volunteer work for the Khorlo Foundation, has done everything possible to raise money in order to help the children and their parents. "They're children. It must be possible to find some kind of solution."

The Tibetan refugees have had problems from the very beginning. In the Netherlands, refugees must apply for family reunification within three months of their arrival in the country. In many cases this didn't happen, or the applications were submitted after the deadline because the refugees did not know about the rules. Parents whose applications are late must meet extra criteria, such as proof of income.

Tibet and China
Since Tibet was invaded by the Red Army in 1950, followed by its formal annexation in 1952, it has been ruled by China. Tibetan culture is being suppressed, much of Tibet's literature and holy places are being destroyed under the pretext of modernisation.

The Chinese crushed a massive uprising of the Tibetan people in 1959. The Dalai Lama took refuge in India. In the following years the Chinese government strengthened its grip on the country. Large-scale destruction of convents and temples caused renewed protests, followed by another bloody suppression and a new flow of refugees.

Early in March 2008, in the run-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing, Tibet once again became the centre of international attention as Tibetan monks, quite contrary to their traditions, walked out of their convents and took to the streets to protest the Chinese dominance and the human rights infringements in their country. The triumphal procession of the Olympic torch through the world's capitals as envisaged by China turned into chaotic riots and protests in many places.

Bureaucratic obstacles
In 2007, relief organisations such as UNICEF, the Refugee Foundation and Defence for Children asked the Dutch government to help the refugees and their children. Deputy Justice Minister Nebahat Albayrak made a temporary arrangement whereby the children would be able to be reunited with their parents without the usual bureaucratic obstacles.

However, Yolanda Simon says this is not enough. "The children need exit permits to leave the countries in which they are now living." Many of the children do not have papers, such as birth certificates, which are necessary when applying for the permits.

 
China business
Yolanda Simon estimates that it will cost around 35,000 euros to buy the children plane tickets to the Netherlands, which the foundation does not have. "We've asked companies to make donations, but they say they can't help. Many companies do business with China." The Postcode Lottery - one of the main supporters of charities in the Netherlands - was unable to help. "We weren't eligible for a donation from the Postcode Lottery because the group which needs help isn't big enough."

Yolanda Simon is at a complete loss because the situation is urgent. Some of the children are living like tramps and have no place to go. There is little or no contact with the seven children who are still in Tibet. And last month's protests against the Chinese occupation by Tibetan monks have only made things worse. Yolanda Simon says it is more difficult to leave Tibet because there is now more control along the border.

Yolanda Simon hopes that the children who have succeeded in fleeing to Nepal and India will be able to come to the Netherlands as soon as possible. "Every time I see the parents I tell them things will turn out alright."

By Wendy Braanker*

*RNW translation (fs)

18-04-2008

[Copyright Radio Netherlands 2008]