(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 29 November 2001 letter to Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPJ expressed concern over press freedom violations in Nepal during the recently declared State of Emergency. On 26 November, King Gyanendra declared a State of Emergency throughout the country in response to an upsurge of violence between Maoist rebels and […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 29 November 2001 letter to Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPJ expressed concern over press freedom violations in Nepal during the recently declared State of Emergency.
On 26 November, King Gyanendra declared a State of Emergency throughout the country in response to an upsurge of violence between Maoist rebels and government security forces that killed at least 100 people over the weekend.
Articles of the Constitution that have been suspended include those guaranteeing freedom of expression and opinion (Article 12.2a), press and publication rights (Article 13), and the right to information (Article 16). Under Nepalese law, a State of Emergency can last for up to six months.
Already, since the imposition of emergency regulations, the government has arrested ten media workers associated with leftist publications, prevented distribution of one day’s edition of the mainstream “Kathmandu Post”, and issued guidelines warning the media to avoid any coverage that could “harm national dignity.”
On 26 November, police raided the offices of three publications closely associated with the Maoist movement: the weekly “Janadesh”, the daily “Janadisha”, and the monthly “Dishabodh”. The police arrested nine staff members and also confiscated equipment and written materials. Local sources reported that the detainees could be charged with terrorism, which carries a life prison sentence in Nepal.
The 26 November detainees included:
* Govinda Acharya, editor, “Janadesh”
* Khil Bahadur Bhandary, executive editor, “Janadesh”
* Deepak Sapkota, correspondent, “Janadesh”
* Ram Bhakta Shrestha, computer operator, “Janadesh”
* Om Sharma, editor, “Janadisha”
* Deepak Mainali, computer operator, “Janadisha”
* Dipendra Rokaya, “Janadisha”
* Ishwarchandra Gyawali, executive editor, “Dishabodh”
An unidentified “Dishabodh” employee was also arrested that day, local sources said. “Dishabodh” computer operator Nim Bahadur Budhathoki was arrested the day before.
Also on 26 November, the palace announced that the government could detain suspected terrorists for up to six months without trial. That same day, the Interior Ministry publicly declared the Maoist Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) to be a terrorist organization. The ministry added that any organizations or individuals supporting the CPN and its activities would also be considered terrorists, according to local news reports.
On 27 November, the Nepalese army issued a notice to media outlets asking them to seek permission from the army’s Information Department before publishing any news about military affairs.
On 28 November, the government seized all copies of the “Kathmandu Post” after the newspaper ran a photo of several Maoist militants, according to sources in Nepal. Government officials then warned the paper’s editors not to publish articles or photos that “glorify” the Maoist movement. The “Kathmandu Post” is Nepal’s largest English-language daily.
In a statement issued that same day, the Ministry of Information and Communication listed several proscribed topics, including reports that “create hatred and disrespect against His Majesty the King and the Royal Family,” or “harm national dignity, create social disintegration and instigate terror.” The statement also encouraged the media to publish official news and reports “regarding bravery and achievements of [the] Royal Nepal Army, police and civil servants.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– protesting the government’s suspension of constitutional guarantees for press freedom and other civil liberties under the recently declared State of Emergency
– urging him to refrain from using emergency regulations to silence journalists and media outlets that voice controversial views
– noting that in times of national crisis it is especially important that journalists are free to report without fear of arrest or harassment
– stating that the nonviolent expression of political views should never be considered a crime
– demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the ten employees of “Janadesh”, “Janadisha”, and “Dishabodh”, if, as it appears, they have been arrested on the basis of their affiliations with these publications
Appeals To
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba
Prime Minister’s Office
Singh Durbar
Kathmandu, Nepal
Fax: +997 1 227286
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
