19 May 2004
JOURNALISTS FACE "UNPRECEDENTED REPRESSION," SAYS CEHURDES
Amid Nepal's ongoing conflict between Maoist rebels and government forces, journalists are being subjected to repression on an unprecedented scale, says a new report by the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES).
A survey of press freedom in Nepal during the past 12 months, the report says six journalists have been killed by government forces and Maoist rebels since April 2003. They include Binod Sajana Chaudhary, Padma Raj Devkota, Nagendra Pokhrel, Gyanendra Khadka, Mayor Gopal Giri and Amar Lama. No one has been brought to justice for these murders.
Another seven journalists are missing, including five reportedly detained by government forces, says CEHURDES. Eighty-six media personnel have been physically attacked while 22 journalists have received threats.
Attacks against journalists have increased since King Gyanendra suspended Nepal's parliament in October 2002, notes CEHURDES. Constitutional rights to peaceful assembly have also been suspended since April 2004. These conditions are contributing to growing self-censorship among the media, warns CEHURDES.
The situation in Nepal has prompted Human Rights Watch to write to international donors, urging them to demand stronger human rights guarantees from the Nepalese government. Funding from international donors makes up more than half of Nepal's development budget.
Human Rights Watch says donors should increase support for the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal and adopt a clear set of benchmarks for the Nepalese government to measure progress on human rights standards.
Visit these links:
- CEHURDES Report: http://www.cehurdes.org.np
- Human Rights Watch: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/05/04/nepal8532.htm
- IFEX: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/155/
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