Crisis in Nepal

Protesting Arrest of the Journalists and Illegal Appointment of the District Development Committee

Press Statement

June 14, 2005

(translated from Nepali statement)

We, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders condemn the mass arrest of journalists, including the president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Bishnu Nishthuri and its former president Harihar Birahai. The plainclothes security forces also manhandled to the journalists by intervening in the rally to protest the state's imposed repressive media laws on June 13, 2005. This action clearly states the negative attitude of the state on human rights, press freedom, freedom of expression and democracy. We believe that this action was part of the continuous attempt of the state to dismantle the democratic structures of the country by eliminating the existence of free press.

We also protest the undemocratic and illegitimate appointment of the president and vice-president of the District Development Committees in 25 Districts by the Ministry of Local Development on June 13. We are convinced that this appointment of undemocratic persons violates the basic norms of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990 and the principles of rule of law.

We strongly demand the unconditional release of all arrested journalists. We also urge with the state to stop all forms of acts that dismantles democratic structure of the country and call upon the state to ensure the conducive environment for people that they must enjoy their democratic and civil rights.

On behalf of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders

[formerly known as the group of 25 human rights organizations]

Subodh raj Pyakurel
Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti
Shobhakar Budhathoki
Shanta Lal Mulmi
Ganga Kasajoo