NEPAL: Arrested journos released, six rights activists still in custody

Over 24 journalists arrested in Federation of Nepalese Journalists protest rally marking one-year anniversary of royal coup

Nepal News
Wednesday, February 1, 2006

AsiaMedia Editor's Note: Reports are unclear as to whether the lifting of the state of emergency on April 30 allows for press freedom, and thus Nepalnews may still be operating under the directives of King Gyanendra.

Authorities have released some two dozen journalists arrested from a protest rally organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in Kathmandu against the press curbs imposed after last year's February 1 royal move.

Over two dozen journalists were released Wednesday evening while two journalists, Mahendra Pandey and Sun Bahadur Malla, are still in custody.

Likewise, six human rights workers including chairman of Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON), Charan Prasain, Mukunda Rijal, Bijul Kumar Bishwokarma, Narayan Dutta Kandel, Suresh Bhatta and Basudev Devkota, who were arrested from a protest rally in Kathmandu this afternoon, remain detained.

Hundreds of journalists and human rights activists staged demonstration at New Road, a restricted area, this afternoon, demanding guarantee of press freedom and human rights.

At least two journalists were seriously injured as police used force to disrupt the protest rally.

Over two dozen protesting journalists arrested, two injured in Kathmandu

Police arrested over two dozen journalists and injured few others during a protest rally organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in Kathmandu on Wednesday to protest the media curbs since last year's February 1 royal move.

Carrying banners written in slogans demanding press freedom, hundreds of journalists took out a rally at New Road, a restricted area. Soon after, the police intervened and beat up many of them.

Dozens of journalists from outside the capital and human rights activists also participated in the rally. Among those arrested include FNJ president Bishnu Nisthuri, senior journalists Harihar Birahi and Kanak Dixit.

Our correspondent on site said over the phone that journalists Ramesh Biata and Bijay Sibakoti were seriously injured in police beating. Bista fainted due to excessive beating while Sibakoti received injury on his head.

Armed Police Force (APF) personnel were also used mobilized to disrupt the journalists' protest. The FNJ carried out protest rallies in different parts of the country, marking the February 1 as 'black day'.

Hundreds of political activists, journalists arrested during protests

Hundreds of leaders and activists of the seven agitating political parties, human rights workers and journalists were arrested from protest rallies around the country organised to mark last year's February 1 royal move as 'black day' on Wednesday.

In Kathmandu, at least two dozen leaders and activists of the seven-party alliance were rounded up when riot police intervened into their demonstration at New Road, a restricted area, this afternoon.

Hundreds of agitators who gathered at New Road at around 2:00 p.m. waved black flags and chanted slogans against the 'repressive' royal regime and demanded immediate restoration of democracy in the country.

The seven parties took out protest rallies from Teku, Kalimati and Basantpur and clashes between the police and the agitators were reported at some places. Security forces also barred the parties from holding a mass gathering at Basantapur.

Sporadic protests continue around New Road areas at the moment, our correspondent on the site said over the phone.

Similarly, hundreds of seven-party protesters were rounded up in Biratnagar, Jhapa, Pokhara, Rajbiraj, Dang, Banke and various other places during the 'black day' demonstrations, reports said. There were also reports of scuffles during the protests.

Meanwhile, security men opened blank fire to disperse the agitators in Bhadrapur, Jhapa, this afternoon. Few protesters were also beaten up by the police, reports quoting local leaders of the Nepali Congress said.

Similarly, dozens of journalists and human rights activists were apprehended from protest rallies in Kaski, Ilam, Khotang, Jhapa, Udaypur, Tapjejung Banke and many other places. Demanding press freedom and freedom of expression, journalists staged demonstration in Banke's Nepalgunj, before a daylong curfew started at 11:00 a.m.

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) is organising a major demonstration in the restricted areas in central Kathmandu from 4:00 p.m.

King's direct rule black period for Nepali media, says FNJ

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists, an umbrella organization of all working journalists of the country has described the one year of direct rule of the King as a black period for Nepali media.

A report prepared by the FNJ, evaluating the situation of press freedom from February 1, 2005 to February 1, 2006 said that more than 400 journalists were arrested and released during the period and some 240 newspapers faced various censorships during the period.

"The independent radio of the country had to face various legal and physical attack during the period," the report said.

The report further said that seven journalists are still in detention for disseminating information which was not in the favour of authority.

The report said that the government is creating various obstacles to the independent media of the country. The report expressed grave concern over the government's bid to implement one window policy for the distribution of welfare advertisement to newspapers.

The FNJ also informed that it will publicize detailed report of the period on May 3, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

A report publicized by the International Federation of Journalist the global organization of journalists entitled, 'Nepal One Year On Censorship, Crackdown and Courage' said, "Though the state of emergency declared by King Gyanendra immediately after the royal takeover was lifted on April 20, 2005 the fundamental rights were not restored."

"The Nepalese media is still prevented from operating with the same freedoms that existed before King Gyanendra's Royal Proclamation, and in some cases the curbs imposed on press and political activity have been strengthened.

Additionally, Freedom of Expression has been severely limited due to the intimidation and harassment," the report adds.

"Media practioners and freedom of expression advocates across the country continue to 'disappear' or be detained and imprisoned for the free expression of their opinion," the report adds.

The report also expressed concern over the media ordinance and ban on broadcast of news from FM stations.

The global media watchdog has said that one year from the February 1, 2005 royal coup, despite valiant efforts of Nepalese Journalists, international bodies and human rights organizations, the situation in Nepal had not improved.

The IFJ also urged all affiliated to participate in the campaign to restore press freedom and freedom of expression to Nepal. "We particularly urge affiliated to lobby their governments, protest to their Nepalese Embassy and petition the Nepalese government to demand restoration of democracy in Nepal," the report adds.

Speaking at the report release and the national conference on attacks in Nepali media post February 1 and future strategy, IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said, "The routine arrest and detention of human rights activists and journalists and the widespread denial of rights kills any confidence people may have in the faltering process."

"Secrecy, Censorship and intimidation do not lead to peace. They only create more fear, ignorance and insecurity," he added.

United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal Ian Martin in his message said, "The ability of journalists and the media to operate freely, without fear or coercion is a critical element to freedom of expression," adding, "If the media is intimated, closed down or its members are targeted by either side to a conflict because their message is not popular, then the right to freedom of expression is endangered."

He further said that in Nepal journalists and media workers continue to be subject to intimidation and harassment.

Senior journalists said that Nepalese media sector has been passing through a very difficult turn of the history following the February 1 royal takeover of last year.

Speaking at the same programme, journalists working outside the valley demanded to ensure their safety in the working place saying they were facing threats from both the government and the Maoists.

Date Posted: 2/1/2006

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