(CEHURDES/IFEX) – The following is a CEHURDES news update: Following the release of the editor of the Nepali language Kantipur daily, Yuba Raj Ghimire (on bail), the managing director of Kantipur daily and the English language The Kathmandu Post, Kailash Sirohiya, and the director of both publications, Binod Gyawali (without bail), on June 15, 2001 […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – The following is a CEHURDES news update:
Following the release of the editor of the Nepali language Kantipur daily, Yuba Raj Ghimire (on bail), the managing director of Kantipur daily and the English language The Kathmandu Post, Kailash Sirohiya, and the director of both publications, Binod Gyawali (without bail), on June 15, 2001 by the Special Court, the situation of press freedom seems fragile in Nepal. The government is trying to impose unofficial censorship in the private media. The journalists were arrested on the charge of treason on June 6, 2001 for publishing an article on an underground Maoist leader. On June 15, the Special Court released Ghimire on bail of Rs. 2000.00 and also released Sirohiya and Gyawali without bail.
On June 4, 2001, the government put the Public Security Law into effect, under Public Security Act, 1989. The regulation indirectly controls the freedom of expression of citizens and media workers. It also gives more authority to the Chief District Officer, the administrative head of the district. In general, this regulation has been enforced to control the ongoing rebel war launched by the CPN (Maoists) since February 1996. But it can be manipulated and may be used to restrict press freedom and freedom of expression in the name of preserving peace, security and the sovereignty of the country.
On June 26, participants in a protest rally attacked photojournalist Min Bajracharya in Dillibazar, Kathmandu. The rally was organized by the underground CPN (Maoist).
On June 27, in the evening, police raided the Paru Offset Printing Press in Dillibazar, Kathmandu. All available copies of “Dishabodh” monthly were seized by plainclothes policemen. The newspaper is believed to be close to the Maoist movement. According to the police report, the monthly had carried a feature article and interview with the chairman of the CPN.
