Police carry out series of seizures of newspapers; media given reduced access to government ministries

(RSF/IFEX) – Since 9 June 1998, several newspapers have been seized by police in Sindhulimadhi (320 km south-east of Kathmandu). The daily “Ajko Samacharpatra” and the weeklies “Jadanesh”, “Janaahwan”, “Yojana”, “Jana Ekta” and “Jana Bhawana”, all published in Kathmandu, were confiscated several times at the local market. Similar incidents were reported in other districts, such […]

(RSF/IFEX) – Since 9 June 1998, several newspapers have been seized by
police in Sindhulimadhi (320 km south-east of Kathmandu). The daily “Ajko
Samacharpatra” and the weeklies “Jadanesh”, “Janaahwan”, “Yojana”, “Jana
Ekta” and “Jana Bhawana”, all published in Kathmandu, were confiscated
several times at the local market. Similar incidents were reported in other
districts, such as Gorkha, Sindhuli, Rukum, Salyan, Tanahun, Dhading and
Jajarkot, as the newspapers were about to be distributed.

The newspapers had printed information about the misconduct of security
forces, who are presumed to have killed civilians in clashes with Maoist
guerrillas. Moreover, all articles that claim support for the Maoist
movement because of government corruption have reportedly been banned.

In other news, authorities have imposed severe restrictions on the ability
of journalists to enter the premises of Singha Durbar, which houses several
important government ministries. Police are now able to prevent journalists
from entering Singha Durbar at certain times of the day.

Recommended Action

His Excellency Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala

Prime Minister’s Office

Singh Durbar

Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel:  +977 01 228 200

Fax:  +977 01 227 286

Mr. Bamdev Gautam

Home Minister

Home Ministry

Singh Durbar

Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel: +977 01 228 801/228 812

Fax: +977 01 227 186/227 187