(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 13 June 2005, police intervened in a peaceful demonstration organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) at Ratna Park in the capital, Kathmandu, and arrested at least four dozen journalists. Police officers, some of them in plain clothes, manhandled a number of journalists before arresting them. Those detained include FNJ President […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 13 June 2005, police intervened in a peaceful demonstration organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) at Ratna Park in the capital, Kathmandu, and arrested at least four dozen journalists.
Police officers, some of them in plain clothes, manhandled a number of journalists before arresting them. Those detained include FNJ President Bishnu Nisthuri and General Secretary Mahendra Bista. A few journalists were injured during the scuffle.
Over 200 journalists had gathered at Ratna Park carrying black banners. They shouted slogans protesting police atrocities and in favour of press freedom.
CEHURDES condemns this police intervention in a peaceful demonstration by journalists and demands the immediate release of all the detained media personnel and human rights activist Bashu Devkota. CEHURDES also urges the government to withdraw all of its repressive measures and allow peaceful assembly and rallies, as guaranteed by the country’s constitution.
In Kavre district, the local administration has released dozens of journalists and rights activists detained in Banepa, the district headquarters, for taking part in a peaceful demonstration.
