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<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7318079.stm>
Last Updated: Friday, 28 March 2008, 09:51 GMT
Tibetan children in Nepal protest
By Charles Haviland
BBC News, Kathmandu

One of the schoolchildren inside the UN compound
A group of more than 20 Tibetan schoolchildren has staged a protest in the main United Nations compound in Nepal's 
capital, Kathmandu.

A UN spokesman said the children, aged between 15 and 18, and dressed in 
school uniform scaled the wall.

This is the boldest Tibetan protest in nearly three weeks in Kathmandu.

Tibetan exiles say police have also arrested nearly 90 of their community as their demonstrations against Chinese rule 
in Tibet continue.

Independence flag

A UN spokesman told the BBC the 21 students apologised to senior officials 
and guards for entering the UN compound.

The children said they wanted to draw attention to the crisis in Tibet and unfurled a flag featuring independence 
slogans for the Chinese-ruled region, the spokesman said.

A Tibetan protestor in Nepal on 28 March 2008
Nepal says it cannot allow Tibetans to demonstrate

He said the UN resident co-ordinator had one prime concern - that no charges 
be levelled against the children.

He had asked the authorities not to allow the use of force against Tibetan 
demonstrators.

As the students climbed into the UN, the police attention appears to have been diverted by a bigger demonstration 
nearby, from which they arrested 89 people, say Tibetan activists.

Kathmandu is home to thousands of Tibetan exiles and over the past fortnight they have mounted almost daily protests 
against Beijing.

Several hundred of the demonstrators have been detained.

Protesters beaten

Meanwhile, Amnesty International and the UN have both criticised the 
government's handling of the protests.
Injured Tibetan protestors in Kathmandu
Protestors have been beaten with considerable force

On Monday the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal said the Nepalese police were arresting 
people who were not demonstrating purely on the basis of their appearance - an apparent reference to Tibetans.

The police have been filmed beating protesters, including monks, with 
considerable force.

Nepal says it cannot allow Tibetans to demonstrate because it recognises 
Tibet as an integral part of China.

But the UN says the mass arrests are against the spirit of a society governed 
by the rule of law.
                
TENSION IN TIBET

KEY STORIES

China allows diplomats into Tibet
Bush calls Hu to urge talks
Olympic torch lit despite protest
Dalai Lama 'wants dialogue'

FEATURES AND ANALYSIS

Chinese paramilitary police in Zhongdian, Yunnan province Clamping down
Tibetan monk speaks out on round-up of protesters as unrest spreads

Tibetan monks: A controlled life
China's quandary
Dalai Lama's home off-limits
Tibet's unsettled borders

VIDEO REPORTS
Flag being held by protester Protests on day Olympic torch was lit
listen Jailed protester
watch Dalai Lama
watch Wen Jiabao

BACKGROUND

Key places and events
Guide: Inside Tibet
Q&A: China and Tibet
Profile: The Dalai Lama

EYEWITNESS

Tibetans describe unrest
Chinese react to violence
Lhasa now 'in cinders'
Monk 'kicked to the floor'


RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Amnesty International
UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal
Xinhua (Chinese state news agency)
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

TOP SOUTH ASIA STORIES
Tibetan children in Nepal protest