(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES, a Kathmandu-based freedom of expression monitoring group, condemns threats by Maoists against two journalists in western Nepal. According to reports, in a letter sent to journalist Ekindra Kumar Kuwor on 1 February 2006, Maoist rebels asked him to appear before their so-called “people’s court” within a week. A journalist from the far-western […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES, a Kathmandu-based freedom of expression monitoring group, condemns threats by Maoists against two journalists in western Nepal.
According to reports, in a letter sent to journalist Ekindra Kumar Kuwor on 1 February 2006, Maoist rebels asked him to appear before their so-called “people’s court” within a week. A journalist from the far-western district of Achham, Kuwor is currently studying journalism in Kathmandu. The rebels have also threatened Kuwor’s relatives.
Similarly, for the last five months the rebels have been threatening Birendra Rawal, editor of “Hamro Seti” weekly, published in the far-western town of Dhangadhi. Rawal too has been asked to report to a Maoist “people’s court”, in connection with news items published in his paper.
These incidents have become public as the “people’s war” launched by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) entered into its eleventh year on 13 February. It must be recalled that Nepalese media personnel have faced threats, intimidation and have even lost their lives during the decade-old insurgency. They have been targeted by both the security forces and the rebels.
CEHURDES condemns on-going threats against journalists by Maoist guerrillas and would like to call upon the rebels to stop all such acts immediately. CEHURDES also calls upon the Maoist leadership to instruct its cadres to respect and honour press freedom and freedom of expression as per its public commitment.
