CEHURDES: Summary of the Nepal Report 2005 May 2005 .

The summary, released on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day (May 03), said nearly two dozen Nepali journalists were killed over the last six years during the on-going violence and counter-violence. Half of them were killed over the last two years (six each in the year 2060 B. S. and 2061 B. S. respectively). Similarly, dozens of journalists faced threats, intimidation, physical harassment and over 30 journalists were forced to displace from their work stations amid threats to their lives.

"Atrocity against the press is increasing from both sides day by day," the annual press freedom and freedom of expression report, also called as Nepal Report 2005, said.

Since the royal proclamation on Feb. 1, 2005 all constitutional and legal safeguards available to the media were paralysed through government directives. Censorship was imposed directly for the first time in the last 15 years and security personnel were stationed in the editorial room and censored all news items, articles etc.

After the royal takeover and imposition of the state of emergency three months ago, editor of Dharan Today, a newspaper published from eastern town of Dharan, Khagendra Shrestha, was shot at by a group of unidentified assailants. Shrestha succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at a private hospital at Siliguri, India.

A total of 28 journalists reported that they were interrogated by security forces and government authorities over the last year (mid-April 2004 until mid-April 2005). Four received death threats. At least 51 journalists were arrested and were subjected to harassment while in detention. Most of the journalists who were given three months detention warrants under public security act were released at the initiation of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and human rights groups. By mid April 2005, there were still 11 journalists serving detention. There were incidences of manhandling against over two dozen media personnel during this period.

Nepalese journalists were first to oppose the royal takeover. FNJ issued a strong-worded statement against the royal move and decided to launch a nationwide movement against it. As a result, General Secretary of FNJ Bishnu Nisthuri was arrested while its president Taranath Dahal escaped arrest and continued to lead the organisation in a "semi-underground" manner.

Atrocities against the "Fourth State" that culminated after the declaration of the state of emergency on February 1, 2005 further intensified over the next three months. The government detained human rights activists, political leaders and cadres, professionals imposing ban on peaceful assembly and imposed restrictions on the domestic as well as international travel of a number of eminent personalities without giving any reasons.

Dozens of journalists were beaten up or physically harassed by police while covering demonstrations against the royal proclamation in various parts of the country.

There have been over one dozen incidences of seizure of publications and there are at least six reported cases of snatching of the equipment of journalists by Maoists and security forces. Three journalists were severely beaten up while covering the political protests. A reporter with the Himal Khabarpatrika (J.B. Pun Magar) was abducted during this period and was later released.

During the state of emergency, local authorities forcibly closed over three dozens newspapers. Most of them were allowed to resume their publications after sometime on condition that they would not violate government's orders. The cases of closure of newspapers were the highest in Mechi zone while journalists in mid-western region were mostly harassed by both the security forces and Maoists.

The FM radio stations operated by the communities and private sector were hit hard by the government's decision after February 1. The government banned broadcast of news and news-related programs over FMs for the next six months. As a result over 1,000 journalists working in 47 FM stations all over the country are believed to have been laid off. With the closure of news-related programs, business transactions of FM stations have also declined drastically.

Even prior to the state of emergency, the situation of press freedom was far from satisfactory. Five persons affiliated to different media were killed (2 by Maoists, 2 by unidentified group and 1 by the state) between Mid-April 2004 and February 1, 2005. 35 journalists were harassed and were attacked. 7 cases of abduction were reported, while 26 journalists were threatened to be killed. Security forces arrested four journalists while whereabouts of two newsmen remain unknown. Both security forces and Maoists confiscated the communication equipments of Harihar Singh Rathor of Dailekh while security forces sized equipments of Amar Sunuwar of the same district. There were five cases of legal and administrative action against newspapers (including restrictions on Nepal 1 TV channel and cases of patent right filed against The Himalayan Times newspaper).

The government has done nothing to fulfil its national and international obligations related to human rights and there have been blatant violation of press freedom. CEHURDES is also worried to the prevailing environment of "self-censorship" that the Nepalese media has been forced to pursue.

Maoists' atrocities towards press have been increasing with greater impetus. They killed the Dailekh correspondent of Radio Nepal, Dekendra Raj Thapa brutally. They neither informed nor announced the murder of Dhan Bahadur Rokka for months. This shows that Maoists are growing more aggressive against the press and journalists. The series that started with the murder of Nawaraj Sharma of Karnali Aawaj in Kalikot district has not ended despite public commitments made by Maoist leader Prachanda and Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

On the other hand, the government never spoke about Krishna Sen, editor of Janadesh weekly who was killed in police custody in the year 2002. The episode remains as yet another example of impunity being enjoyed by security personnel despite violating human rights of people including journalists.

On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, CEHURDES renews its call upon both the government and Maoists to ensure safety and security of media personnel and ensure that journalists are allowed to work freely and in a fearless environment. CEHURDES has been coordinating with the like-minded national and international organisations and networks to promote the cause of press freedom and freedom of expression in the country.

This statement summarizes the Nepal Report 2005 that covers events between 1 Baisakh to 31 Chaitra 2061 B.S. (Mid April 2004 to mid April 2005). CEHURDES has been publishing annual Nepal Reports by monitoring the press freedom and freedom of expression in the country for the last eight years.

Source: CEHURDES