(CEHURDES/IFEX) – The following is a 13 February 2003 CEHURDES statement: CEHURDES calls on authorities and CPN-Maoists to show their commitment to the peace process The Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) strongly urges the Nepalese authorities and Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels to show their commitment to the peace process following […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – The following is a 13 February 2003 CEHURDES statement:
CEHURDES calls on authorities and CPN-Maoists to show their commitment to the peace process
The Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) strongly urges the Nepalese authorities and Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels to show their commitment to the peace process following the declaration of a ceasefire to resolve the seven-year-old conflict.
CEHURDES further asks both the authorities and rebels to respect the fundamental human rights and freedoms of citizens, including press freedom and freedom of expression.
We believe that the democratic process can only be sustained by respecting civil liberties, creating a conducive environment for journalists and rights activists, and ensuring their free movement.
CEHURDES urges the authorities to:
– express their commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal;
– ensure that all the journalists who are currently in detention without charge receive a fair trial and all those detained in prisons for exercising their right to freedom of expression are immediately released;
– create a free and fair news-reporting environment that is respectful of journalists’ basic freedoms and human rights principles, as guaranteed by different international instruments;
– provide media personnel and human rights activists free access to insurgency-affected areas so that they can come up with impartial reports;
– ensure a favourable environment for journalists and rights activists to support the peace process and monitor the cease-fire; and,
– set up an independent judicial commission to investigate the alleged death of editor Krishna Sen in police custody.
Similarly, CEHURDES urges the CPN-Maoist rebels to:
– ensure journalists and rights activists free access to their strongholds for impartial news reporting;
– disclose the whereabouts of Dhan Bahadur Roka (who worked at state-owned Radio Nepal’s Surkhet Transmission Center) and release him from custody immediately; and
– help create a conducive environment for journalists and rights activists to support the peace process and monitor the ceasefire.
Background Information:
Following the imposition of a state of emergency on 26 November 2001, more than 150 journalists were arrested in different parts of the country. The state of emergency was lifted on 29 August 2002, but more than a dozen journalists remain in detention. Some journalists have reportedly been physically and psychologically tortured. Several detainees’ whereabouts are unknown. There have been no reports of official charges filed against any of the detained journalists.
The security forces allegedly killed editor Krishna Sen in June last year after torturing him in custody. Maoist rebels murdered journalist Nawaraj Sharma, and journalist Ambika Timsina was killed on 12 December by unknown assailants. The rebels also abducted journalists Demling Lama and Dhan Bahadur Roka. Lama managed to escape but Roka’s whereabouts remain unknown.
On 4 October, King Gyanendra assumed all executive powers by sacking Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Elections scheduled for 13 November 2002 were postponed for an indefinite period. On 11 October, the king appointed a government under monarchist Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, granting him limited powers.
On 29 January 2003, the government and Maoist rebels declared a ceasefire for the second time. The first had broken in November 2001 after three rounds of talks.
Since February 1996, CPN-Maoist rebels have been fighting to establish a “people’s republic” and abolish Nepal’s constitutional monarchy. More than 7,000 people have died in the conflict. Nearly half of the victims were killed after the state of emergency declaration.
Recommended Action
Send similar appeals to:Right Hon. Lokendra Bahadur Chanda
Prime Minister
Singh Bahadur, Kathmandu, Nepal
c/o Permanent representative to the United Nations
Fax: +977 1 227 286
E-mail: nepal@un.intHon. Dharma Bahadur Thapa
Minister for Home Affairs
Singh Bahadur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Fax: +977 1 225 156Mr. Shayam Bhakta Thapa
Inspector General of Police
Police Headquarters
Naxal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Fax: +977 1 415 593Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
