(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the arrests of several journalists. According to RSF’s sources, on 5 January 1999, after a raid on the office of the weekly “Janadesh”, Nepali police arrested thirteen people including four journalists in Katmandu. The journalists have been identified as Rebati Sapkota, editor of the weekly “Mahima”, Shakti Lamsal, consulting editor […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the arrests of several journalists. According
to RSF’s sources, on 5 January 1999, after a raid on the office of the
weekly “Janadesh”, Nepali police arrested thirteen people including four
journalists in Katmandu. The journalists have been identified as Rebati
Sapkota, editor of the weekly “Mahima”, Shakti Lamsal, consulting editor of
the weeklies “Janadesh” and “Yojana”, Dhana Bahadur Magar, office manager of
the weeklies “Janadesh” and “Yojana”, and Ashok Subedi, a freelance
journalist working for “The Himalaya Times”. According to sources, police
did not carry any arrest warrant and seized printing materials and
computers. They also raided the Indreni Offset Press office where “Janadesh”
is printed. The journalists seem to be accused of “having links with
Maoists.” In its 5 January issue, “Janadesh” published the pictures of two
policemen reportedly killed by members of the Maoist movement. On 6 January,
police were still looking for the editors of the weekly, who have gone into
hiding.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Prime Minister:
Civil
and Political Rights, Article 19 of which guarantees the freedom to inform
and to be informed
released if they exercised their duties or expressed their opinions
peacefully and in compliance with the law
accusation of “being Maoist” is not used as a pretext to crack down on
opposition or independent newspapers
Appeals To
His Excellency Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koiral
Katmandu, Nepal
Fax: +977 1 227286
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
