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Alert

FNJ general secretary arrested, FNJ president evades security forces

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 February 2005 IFJ media release, followed by IFJ's 6 February 2005 release announcing Bishnu's arrest and the reported disappearance of a BBC representative:

7 February 2005

Federation of Nepalese Journalists appeals for international action
Bishnu arrested, Tara Nath in hiding

The General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Bishnu Nisthuri, remains under arrest although his place of detention is not known.

However, FNJ President Tara Nath Dahal has evaded security forces and remains in hiding contrary to early reports of his arrest. He has smuggled out the following appeal in a letter to the President of the International Federation of Journalists:

Dear President and all IFJ friends,

Namaste

I think you know every thing of Nepal from outside of the country and diplomatic channels.

I have been underground since Thursday because of the critical situation in Nepal. Since Thursday morning the army has been standing outside my house and the FNJ office too.

Luckily, I have not been arrested and I am safe.

On Thursday, security persons followed me before I went into hiding. I was out of contact so my organisation issued a press statement about my General Secretary, Bishnu Nisthuri, and me.

Every thing is closed and telephone and email are not working.

Security forces and the army are searching for me. Now I am safe but my family (wife and two children) are getting continual harassment and threats from the army.

I hope that you got the FNJ statement. This is our stand.

Now all media houses are closed. Close to 30, 000 media employees have lost their jobs. TV, Radio, cable, local newspapers are closed. We have no foreign media sources [except] BBC and CNN.

I have no confirmed information from the rest of the country but we are trying to find out solid information from outside the capital.

We are initiating action for journalists' safety.

I have no information about my General Secretary, Bishnu Nisthuri. I just know some other journalists are also arrested.

The Nepal situation is critical. We need more pressure from outside.

Now, lots of thanks for your strong and continued support for us and me.

I ask that you provide this information to the media community of the world.

Tara Nath Dahal
President
Federation of Nepalese Journalists

"The crisis in Nepal is continuing to deepen," said IFJ President, Christopher Warren

"The king and the army are maintaining their efforts to censor the media and are arresting those who refuse to accept the coup," Warren said.

"The appeal from Tara Nath Dahal to the world journalist community is a sign that the resistance in Nepal to the coup, combined with the international pressure on King Gyanendra, is continuing. The pressure inside and outside Nepal sends a common message: the challenges of Nepal cannot be resolved without the restoration of democracy and press freedom."

Nepal remains largely cut off. The Internet is largely closed. International calls are blocked. Mobile networks are down and landlines are sporadically available, although believed to be monitored by security forces.

The statement by the FNJ which lead to the arrest of Bishnu and the attempted arrest of Tara Nath follows:

Press Release

Federation of Nepalese Journalists

Tara Nath Dahal, President

(unofficial translation)

2 February 2005

The Royal announcement made yesterday, by ending the spirit and value of the Constitution of Nepal, is a coup against democracy and peoples' rights. This has undoubtedly destroyed the fabric of democracy and has also confirmed that the lives of ordinary civilians, as well as national values, are in grave danger.

The Federation strongly condemns and expresses disagreement on this historic and enormous mistake. To believe that following a path like this will restore peace and democracy is standing against the values and ideas of modern civilization.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists does not believe that, in the 21st century, the country can progress and achieve democracy through an 'imposed' monarchy by the King. This move has also ended freedom of expression, press freedom and other rights of citizens that were won after great struggle and sacrifice.

Press censorship and the presence of the army in media houses have begun. Communications have been completely disrupted. Now there is no free press and it has been effectively killed. At this time, the Federation of Nepali Journalists believes that its duty is to fight for freedom of the press, democracy, a just peace and national freedom. We also believe that it is important to fight for this with courage and determination, in order to guarantee the right of the Nepali people to information.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.

Click here to view the media release online: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/nepal050207.html

Click here to view the letter online: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/dahal050207.html
Click here for more information on the crisis in Nepal: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/nepalcrisis.html

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The IFJ's 6 February 2005 media release follows:

6 February 2005

FNJ PRESIDENT AND GENERAL SECRETARY ARRESTED IN KATHMANDU

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has received reliable information that Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) President Tara Nath Dahal and FNJ Secretary General Bishnu Nisthuri have been arrested by the security forces in Nepal.

The IFJ has received reports that Tara Nath was arrested on Saturday, February 5 while trying to enter the United Nations offices to seek asylum.

Bishnu Nisthuri was reportedly arrested on Friday, February 4 from his residence.

The arrests follow the vocal opposition of Bishnu and Tara Nath of King Gyanendra's decision on February 1 to dismiss the parliament, declare a state of emergency and cut all communication lines into and within Nepal.

The Royal Nepal Army had been searching for Tara Nath since his defiant condemnation on February 4 of the Royal coup in press releases smuggled out of the country.

Security forces raided FNJ's offices and Tara Nath's home on February 4 in search of him after he went into hiding.

The IFJ has also received reports that a BBC representative, Mr. Netra K.C., has also disappeared after being called to the army barracks in Nepalgunj.

The IFJ is calling for the international community to support our courageous Nepali colleagues.

"Tara Nath Dahal and Bishnu Nisthuri are courageous fighters for press freedom," said IFJ President Christopher Warren. "They were some of the first to stand against the suspension of press freedom and democracy in the royal coup of February 1."

"The world's journalism and press freedom community must continue to apply pressure on the Nepal coup leaders to respect the human rights of Tara Nath Dahal, Bishnu Nisthuri and all Nepali journalists," said Warren.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.

Click here to view the media release online: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/nepal050206.html
Click here for more information on the crisis in Nepal: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/nepalcrisis.html