(CEHURDES/IFEX) – The Nepalese authorities released six pro-Maoist journalists on 5 November 2002. Dipendra Rokaya, Dipak Sapkota and Dhan Bahadur Magar, of the weekly “Janadesh”, Ishwor Chandra Gyawali and Manarishi Dhital, of the monthly “Dishabodh”, and Meena Tiwari, of the monthly “Eikyabadhata”, were released from three different prisons in the capital, Kathmandu. The journalists were […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – The Nepalese authorities released six pro-Maoist journalists on 5 November 2002.
Dipendra Rokaya, Dipak Sapkota and Dhan Bahadur Magar, of the weekly “Janadesh”, Ishwor Chandra Gyawali and Manarishi Dhital, of the monthly “Dishabodh”, and Meena Tiwari, of the monthly “Eikyabadhata”, were released from three different prisons in the capital, Kathmandu.
The journalists were released in the presence of Taranath Dahal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ). Dahal said the journalists’ release came as part of a previous agreement with former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Dahal described the release of the six journalists as a positive development and demanded that all other journalists who are currently behind bars be released immediately.
Background Information
The FNJ launched a campaign to lobby for the release of imprisoned journalists several months ago. Over 100 journalists have been detained by the Nepalese authorities since the imposition of a state of emergency in the country in November 2001. Dahal said over 20 journalists remain behind bars. The 5 November release of the six journalists comes less than one month after the appointment of Lokendra Bahadur Chand as the new prime minister.
