14 April 2004

U.N. MONITORING ROLE URGED


Governments should authorise the U.N. to assist the Nepalese government in investigating human rights violations in the conflict-ridden country, says Human Rights Watch.

The watchdog is urging the member states of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights to adopt a resolution authorising the U.N. to provide support to Nepal's National Human Rights Commission. This would include assistance in investigating, monitoring and reporting on human rights violations in the country. The Commission is holdings its annual meeting this month in Geneva.

The call comes amidst reports of violence against peaceful protesters, according to Human Rights Watch and the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies.

Last week, Nepali police used "excessive force" in breaking up protests organised by the country's five opposition parties, Human Rights Watch says. Numerous journalists were targeted, including 50 who were briefly detained on 11 April for participating in the protests, notes CEHURDES.

The protests were called after the Nepalese government announced on 8 April 2004 that it would resume its ban on public assemblies. Demonstrators also demanded a return to a multi-party parliamentary democracy.

The situation has prompted the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Free Expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, to express "profound concern." Last month, Ligabo said he had received reports showing an "increasing incidence of harassment" of journalists, teachers, lawyers and trade unionists, who were merely exercising the right to express opinions about the conflict. Harassment included house searches, arrests and detention. Ligabo also noted the impunity of the security forces responsible for human rights violations.

For more information on the situation in Nepal, visit:

- IFEX: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/155/

- CEHURDES: http://www.cehurdes.org.np/

- Human Rights Watch Briefing to U.N. Commission on Human Rights: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/01/29/nepal7247.htm

- Committee to Protect Journalists' Report: http://www.cpj.org/attacks03/asia03/nepal.html

- U.N. Special Rapporteur on Free Expression: http://www.unog.ch/news2/documents/newsen/hr04018e.htm



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Also from the Communiqué, 14 April 2004

INTERNATIONAL: IRANIAN, VIETNAMESE WIN PEN/BARBARA GOLDSMITH FREEDOM TO WRITE AWARDS 14 April 2004 IRAQ: JOURNALISTS KIDNAPPED; US URGED TO DIVULGE INFORMATION ON REPORTERS KILLED IN 2003 14 April 2004 CHINA: RSF, CPJ CONDEMN LENGTHY JAIL TERMS IMPOSED ON EDITORS 14 April 2004 CHINA: TAKE ACTION! CHINA: EDITORS DETAINED AND CHARGED 14 April 2004 INTERNATIONAL: PEN TO HIGHLIGHT WRITERS AND FREE EXPRESSION AT BARCELONA FORUM 14 April 2004 PHILIPPINES: STAYING ALIVE: HANDBOOK OFFERS SAFETY TIPS FOR FILIPINO JOURNALISTS 14 April 2004 BRAZIL: UNESCO to Fund Brazilian Press Freedom Network 14 April 2004

Nepal

Attacks on the press continue during NEFIN protests 23 May 2012 FNJ condemns anti-press attacks during NEFIN's nationwide protests 22 May 2012 Media threatened, some newspapers closed 14 May 2012 Journalists intimidated, harassed while covering protests 10 May 2012 Editor and photojournalist receive death threat 17 April 2012 See all alerts: Nepal


Asia and Pacific

INDIA: Charges against video journalist must be dropped 25 May 2012 CAMBODIA: Lake activists sentenced, monk detained after taking part in protest 25 May 2012 PHILIPPINES: Radio commentator threatened on Facebook 25 May 2012 PAKISTAN: Moves to squelch media, again 25 May 2012 CHINA: Anti-foreign attitudes bode ill for China correspondents 24 May 2012


 
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