(WAN/IFEX) – In a 15 February 2002 letter to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their serious concern at the reported arrest and torture of journalist Raj Acharya. According to reports, Acharya, editor of the magazine “Srijanashil Prakashan”, was arrested at his home on 9 January and taken […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 15 February 2002 letter to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their serious concern at the reported arrest and torture of journalist Raj Acharya.
According to reports, Acharya, editor of the magazine “Srijanashil Prakashan”, was arrested at his home on 9 January and taken to the Singha Durbar police station in Kathmandu, then transferred the following day to a military camp in Balaju. Acharya was reportedly tortured while being held in detention. During his questioning, his feet and hands were tied and his face covered. He received electric shocks to force him to admit to his connections with the Maoist Party. After two days of questioning, Acharya was taken back to a police station where his relatives were able to see him.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– expressing your concern at the ongoing government campaign against the press
– reminding him that more than twenty journalists are reportedly currently in detention
– stating that you are seriously concerned that the anti-terrorism law is being used to imprison journalists, without commenting on the ideas and the organisations supported by some of those detained
– reminding him that Acharya’s arrest and torture is a clear breach of his fundamental human rights, as guaranteed by Articles 5 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
– calling on him to ensure that Acharya and all those held in Nepal’s jails for exercising their right to freedom of expression are immediately released from prison
– urging him to ensure that in the future his country fully respects international human rights standards
Appeals To
The Right Honourable Sher Bahadur Deuba
Prime Minister
Kathmandu, Nepal
c/o Permanent Representative to United Nations
E-mail: nepal@un.int
Please copy appeals to WAN.
