(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 6 August 2002 at 11:00 a.m. (local time), security forces arrested journalist Hari Prasad Regmi, in Kalanki, Kathmandu. Regmi is a reporter for the weeklies “Sanghu” and “Jana Bhabana”. After 54 hours in detention, he was released under his wife’s supervision. According to “Sanghu” sources, Regmi was held at the Balaju Army […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 6 August 2002 at 11:00 a.m. (local time), security forces arrested journalist Hari Prasad Regmi, in Kalanki, Kathmandu. Regmi is a reporter for the weeklies “Sanghu” and “Jana Bhabana”. After 54 hours in detention, he was released under his wife’s supervision. According to “Sanghu” sources, Regmi was held at the Balaju Army Barrack, where he was blindfolded and handcuffed.
CEHURDES strongly condemns the ongoing harassment and psychological torture of journalists by the security forces. CEHURDES continues to urge authorities to respect press freedom and freedom of expression and ensure an impartial news reporting environment.
Background Information
Further to the imposition of a “state of emergency” in Nepal on 26 November 2001, more than 100 journalists have been arrested in different parts of the country. More than two dozen journalists remain in detention. Some journalists have reportedly been tortured, both physically and psychologically. Several detainees’ whereabouts are unknown. There have been no reports of official charges filed against any of the arrested journalists.
