IFJ meeting expresses solidarity with journalists in Nepal
Over 40 journalist leaders met in Taipei, Taiwan over July 7-10 at an International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia-Pacific conference called "Media for Democracy - the Challenge in Asia".
Hosted by the IFJ's Taiwan affiliate, the Association of Taiwan Journalists, and supported by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, the meeting brought together leaders of journalists' organisations from: Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.
The meeting passed the following resolution:
This meeting of over 40 journalists' leaders from the International Federation of Journalists Asia-Pacific group, led by the IFJ President Christopher Warren, meeting in Taipei from 7-10 July:
EXPRESSES grave concern for the safety of journalists working in Nepal. The number of journalists arrested has increased dramatically since King Gyanendra took control of the government on February 1, 2005;
CONDEMNS the King's six-month ban on negative reports on himself and the government, the stationing of soldiers at radio stations and newspaper offices across the nation to enforce censorship, the shut down of all independent press, and the bans placed on FM radio stations;
DEMANDS that the King reinstate the constitutional right to freedom of the press, speech, expression and association that existed before the coup. Censorship has robbed Nepalese journalists of democracy, their human rights, and now their livelihoods;
CALLS on the IFJ affiliates to provide moral and material support to our Nepalese colleagues to ensure that human rights are respected and to rally for a quick return to democracy in Nepal.
For further information, please contact Christopher Warren on +61 411 757 668.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
