(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES, condemns the government of Nepal’s latest threat to Nepali media regarding their coverage of news related to the Maoist insurgency. Speaking on a radio programme in the southern town of Birgunj on12 March 2006, Home Minister Kamal Thapa warned that the government would take action against journalists reporting on the Maoist activities […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES, condemns the government of Nepal’s latest threat to Nepali media regarding their coverage of news related to the Maoist insurgency.
Speaking on a radio programme in the southern town of Birgunj on12 March 2006, Home Minister Kamal Thapa warned that the government would take action against journalists reporting on the Maoist activities and disseminating information related to them.
“The government will treat anyone publishing and writing news about the Maoists as their accomplices and will deal with them accordingly,” reports quoted the interior minister as saying.
The home minister also accused Nepali media of not fulfilling their responsibilities.
CEHURDES is stunned at the unwarranted remarks by the home minister – who has also served as foreign and communications minister in the past – and condemns the government’s open threat against independent media at large.
The home minister’s threat has come just two days ahead of a planned blockade of the capital, Kathmandu, by the Maoist rebels, set to begin on 14 March. The rebels have also called for a nation-wide strike of indefinite duration, starting 3 April.
CEHURDES would like to remind the government that Nepali media have performed responsibly throughout the prolonged conflict. While the royal regime refused to participate in the four-month-long unilateral ceasefire announced by the Maoists (September 2005-January 2006), Nepali media continued to call upon both parties to the conflict to give up violence and return to the negotiating table.
Nepali media and media personnel in general have been advocating for peace and denouncing all forms of violence throughout the decade-long conflict. A new movement called “peace journalism” is also being practiced by an increasing number of media personnel in Kathmandu and other parts of the country.
CEHURDES is concerned that the increasingly isolated royal regime could further target independent Nepali media, by accusing them of being “accomplices of the Maoists.” CEHURDES warn the government not to engage in any activities that aim to curtail press freedom or freedom of expression, both of which are guaranteed by the country’s constitution.
CEHURDES also calls upon the international community to closely monitor the situation in Nepal and to exert heavy, coordinated pressure upon the royal government compelling it to respect people’s fundamental rights, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
