IFJ demands King reinstate civil liberties and human rights
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing more than 500,000 journalists in over 110 countries, has today written to the King of Nepal, demanding that he reinstate civil rights.
The letter, which has been translated into Nepali and distributed widely in Nepal by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), highlights international concern for the safety of journalists and condemns the government's violations of civil liberties and human rights.
"The IFJ has now participated in two missions to Nepal, and on each occasion we have received, and welcomed, assurances from the Nepalese government that all the articles of its constitution guaranteeing basic rights are in force," said IFJ President Christopher Warren in his letter to King Gyanendra.
"However, the daily reports new media bans and attacks against journalists demonstrate that these assurances have meant nothing," said the IFJ President.
"We need to step-up international pressure on the Nepalese government, until it realises that it is utterly unacceptable that human rights and the right to free speech have been abandoned in Nepal," said Warren.
The letter to King Gyanendra is part of the ongoing campaign for press freedom and journalists' safety in Nepal. A Global Day of Action for Press Freedom in Nepal on August 30 involving IFJ affiliates has been planned to express international disapproval to the King. The IFJ urges other human rights and press freedom organisations to participate.
Meanwhile, on August 7, Maoist forces banned the sale, distribution, and reporting of Blast Times Daily, a popular daily newspaper in eastern Nepal. The rebel organisation claimed that the newspaper had been carrying out a campaign to malign to its name.
"This is nothing but a direct attack on the independent media," said FNJ secretary Balaram Baniya, condemning the Maoist action.
Widespread media bans and censorship have been enforced in Nepal since February 1, when King Gyanendra staged a Royal Coup and suspended all civil liberties in a move that he said was necessary to fight an anti-monarchist Maoist revolt.
To view IFJ's letter to King Gyanendra click here.
The IFJ participated in the International Advocacy Mission for Press Freedom in Nepal from July 10 to 16. Click here to read the full mission statement.
For further information contact Christopher Warren on +61 (0) 411 757 668.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
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A full copy of the letter follows:
August 8, 2005
King Gyanendra
Narayanhity Royal Palace
Kathmandu, Nepal
Your Royal Highness,
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries, is deeply concerned for the safety of Nepalese journalists. We have been closely monitoring the situation in Nepal and are shocked at both the violence and censorship journalists face on a daily basis.
Although we recognise that your government is attempting to avert civil unrest, abandoning human rights and Nepal's constitutional right to a free press is an utterly unacceptable response.
The IFJ has now participated in two missions to Nepal and on each occasion we have received, and welcomed, assurances from your government that all articles of the Constitution are in force. Despite these assurances, we have witnessed first-hand that the Nepalese government continues to violate civil liberties and human rights on a daily basis.
Last week we were shocked to hear that the Royal Nepalese Army saw fit to interrogate three journalists in the Dailekh region regarding their claims that the Army was using minors as informants. According to our information, the local army chief warned the journalists not to write anything that goes against the Royal Nepalese Army. We also understand that the journalists were then forced to provide thumb marks and were urged to publish retractions of their comments.
This direct censorship and intimidation of the media shows complete disregard for the fundamental right to free speech, and contradicts the democratic principles that the Army is meant to abide by and enforce.
Beyond the recent incidents in Dailekh, the international community is aware of the attacks, disappearances, intimidation, detention and displacement of journalists and freedom of expression advocates that have occurred regularly at the hands of the Royal Nepalese Army and your government.
The dissolution of fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Nepalese Constitution is deplorable and the IFJ demands that all direct and indirect forms of media censorship cease, and that coercive interference in editorial independence must end.
Furthermore, the IFJ calls on the King to reinstate the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of association, to ensure the safety of all journalists in Nepal and to put Nepal back on the path to democracy.
