|
All News items from Nepal
Rita Mahato and Dev Kumari Mahara, staff members of the Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) in Siraha district, Nepal received threats of rape and murder on 14 June 2007. These threats are the latest in a series of threats against the two human rights defenders. 
On 1 January 2007, about sixty participants in a protest in Nepal organized by the Citizen’s Movement for Peace and Democracy, against the delay in promulgating the interim constitution, were arrested. According to reports, police broke up the protest, using excessive force immediately after the activists had gathered outside the Prime Ministers residence.
Shyam Shrestha, human rights defender and journalist, Mahendra Bista Secretary General of the Federation of Nepalese Journalist’s and Dr. Devendra Raj Pandey, were amongst those arrested. The Federation of Nepalese Journalist’s strongly condemned the arrest of the human rights defenders and journalists, and stated: "The act is against the spirit of people's movement and the people's fundamental right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression."
Later that evening, the protesters were released. This is the first time since the restoration of democracy, of April 2006, that civil society representatives have been arrested. These arrests contravene the commitment to respect human rights as articulated in the peace accords signed by the Government and Maoists, in November 2006.
11 April 2006
Over 100 journalists have been arrested and many hospitalised and manhandled in Nepal since pro-democracy rallies and strikes erupted across the country on 5 April, and approximately 20 remain in prison according to the President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)
Front Line has received reports that Nepalese security forces beat at least 24 journalists in separate incidents in the cities of Baglung, Doti, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Dhaulagiri since a nationwide dawn until dusk curfew was imposed on April 6
In a press statement released on 10 April, Bishnu Nisthuri said:” The government has been treating independent media and journalists as the enemy and at least 20 journalists are still being detained under custody, many of them are arrested without legal notice.”
He went on to urge all media personnel and freedom of expression supporters to “defy any restriction order and curfew imposed by an unconstitutional and autocratic government and to continue their professional duty without fear.”
Front Line Press Release
25 April 2006, 15.00 (Kathmandu time) Front Line welcomes the release from detention of Dr. Devendra Panday, Krishna Pahadi and Shyam Shrestha and other human rights defenders on the morning of 25 April 2006. Speaking at the Kathmandu District Court Krishna Pahadi said, “ This is only a first step, we must ensure that human rights and peace are strongly reflected in the unconditional constituent assembly which must be set up, and in the actions of the new Government.”
Unconfirmed reports indicate that all human rights defenders have been released. In welcoming the releases, Front Line Deputy Director, Andrew Anderson, in Kathmandu, stressed the need to guarantee the protection of human rights defenders and bring to justice those responsible for human rights violations.
Amongst those human rights defenders which Front Line witnessed being released at the Kathmandu District Court were:
Dr Mathura Prasad Shrestha Mr. Daman Nath Dhungana Mr. Laxman Aryal Mr. Kanak Mani Dixit Mr Charan Prasain Dr Madhu Ghimhire Dr Saroj Dhital Dr Sarad Onta Dr Mahesh Maskey Mr. Birma Aryal
Front Line Press Release
24 April 2006, 19.00 (Kathmandu time)
At the end of a five-day mission to Nepal, Front Line Deputy Director, Andrew Anderson, expressed the organization’s deep concern about the brutal repression of those peacefully demonstrating for the restoration of human rights and democracy in Nepal as well as the continued detention of more than 200 human rights defenders. Over recent days, Front Line has met with Nepalese human rights defenders, including some of those detained, and monitored the protests in the Kathmandu area.
Front Line met with Krishna Pahadi, Shyam Shrestha and Dr Devendra Raj Panday at their places of detention during the last two days. It is outrageous that these human rights defenders continue to be arbitrarily detained without charge or trial for more than 90 days.
“If the authorities are serious about seeking a peaceful resolution of the crisis they should immediately release these three, and all those detained illegally for their defence of human rights,” said Andrew Anderson.
5 April 2006
At least 37 people were arrested on 5 April in Kathmandu as they took part in a peaceful protest rally organised by the Professional Alliance for Peace and Democracy (PAPAD) to show their support for the nationwide four day pro-democracy strike due to begin tomorrow, 6 April.
According to the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ); 13 journalists, including FNJ President, Bishnu Nisthuri; 13 lawyers, including The President of the Nepal Bar Association Shamblu Thapa, and 11 other professionals and human rights defenders were arrested and are currently being held in Bhrikutimandap police station in central Kathmandu.
A government ban on protests in Nepal’s capital came into force on 4 April – two days ahead of the scheduled national strike and six days ahead of an anti-monarchy protest march on Saturday organised by a seven-party political opposition alliance. Along with the 37 people arrested at the protest rally, approximately 20 Political opposition leaders were also arrested on 5 April.
19 January 2006
Almost 90 opposition leaders, journalists and human rights defenders including the founder and chairperson of the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES), Krishna Pahadi were arrested on Thursday 19 January in the lead up to pro-democracy demonstrations organised by a seven party opposition alliance planned for the following day.
A prominent Nepalese human rights organisation can confirm the arrests of 89 people including leaders of the Nepalese Congress party and Nepalese Communist Party and Shyam Shretha, editor of the magazine Mulyankan.
Plainclothes policemen arrested Krishna Pahadi at his home in the early morning of 19 January and according to a family member, he is being held in Naxal Police headquarters. Human rights defenders are now living in fear of arrest and some have felt compelled to temporarily relocate to secret locations.
4 July 2005
Krishna Pahadi was finally released on the 4th of July by the Nepalese authorities after five months of arbitrary detention. He had been arrested on the 9th of February 2005 as part of the crackdown on human rights defenders and others following King Gyanendra’s declaration a state of emergency on the 1st of February.
Krishna Pahadi is one of Nepal's leading human rights defenders and the founder chairperson of the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES). Members of the security forces arrested Krishna Pahadi outside the organization's headquarters in Kathmandu and he was held in the armed police compound Naxal in Kathmandu. He was served with a 90-day detention order under the Public Security Act (PSA), which was extended for another 90 days after it expired on 9 May 2005.
Speaking following his release Krishna Pahadi said “I would like to thank the international community from the bottom of my heart, it is thanks to the work of Front Line, Amnesty International that I have been released today.”
Front Line has expressed deep concern over the decision to detain human rights defender Krishna Pahadi for a further 3 months under the Public Security Act.
"Krishna Pahadi must be released immediately and unconditionally," stated Front Line Director Mary Lawlor, "His continued detention reflects how afraid the authorities are of a human rights defender of Krishna Pahadi's great moral integrity and influence.”
Front Line has also expressed serious concern for Krishna Pahadi's health. He was initially arrested by the Nepalese authorities on 9 February 2005. He has been held at the police headquarters in Naxal, Kathmandu and those people who have been able to visit have been very concerned about his condition. After many appeals from Krishna Pahadi's family, as well as from others, he was finally able to receive medical treatment on Thursday 5th May.
"Those responsible for Krishna Pahadi's detention must take action to ensure he receives further treatment from his doctor," said Front Line Director Mary Lawlor, "He should be released immediately so that he can receive proper medical care."
On 1 February 2005, King Gyanendra declared a state of emergency throughout Nepal, thereby triggering a human rights crisis of catastrophic proportions. The situation shows no signs of improvement and is likely to deteriorate further over the coming weeks and months. Pressure from the international community has been largely ineffectual and the King seems impervious to calls from around the world for the restoration of rights and democracy in the country. Although the State of Emergency was lifted at the end of April 2005, illegal detentions, press censorship, restrictions on public gatherings and travel remain in place as the political crisis continues.
Although the King claimed that the state of emergency was necessary in order to resolve the struggle with the Maoist rebels that began in 1996, it was not clear how this would be achieved. During the first days of the state of emergency the King used his position as Commander of the Royal Nepalese Army to assert absolute control over civil society and took steps to prevent any expression of opposition to his course of action.
Front Line welcomes the release of Bishnu Nisturi, General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ). Bishnu Nisturi was arrested on 4 February following a statement issued by the FNJ on 2nd February 2005 condemning the recent measures taken by the King suppressing freedom of expression.
Bishnu Nisthuri has stated that following his arrest on 4 February 2005 he was "hooded" and taken to the Royal Nepal Army headquarters at Bhadrakali, Kathmandu. The next day, he was transferred to police custody at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu. On 14 February, the Supreme Court issued a notice to government authorities, giving them three days to inform the Court of the reasons for his arrest. On 25 February Bishnu Nisturi was released from detention.
Front Line is deeply concerned by reports of the arrests of 14 human rights defenders in Nepal since 1st February 2005, the date on which the King of Nepal dismissed the government and imposed a nationwide state of emergency. Those arrested since 1st February are:
- Mr. Krishna Pahadi (pictured left, founder chairperson of the Human Rights and Peace Society, HURPES) - Suresh Chandra Pokheral (Vice President, HURPES) - Balaram Aryal (Treasurer, HURPES) - Suman Shrestha (Secretary, Kathmandu District Committee, HURPES) - Narayan Dutta Kendel (HURPES) - Jaya Ram Basnet (Office Assistant, HURPES) - Laxmi Pariyar (Coordinator, HURPES) - Jib Lal Kherel (HURPES) - Basu Devekota (HURPES) - Laxmi Acharya (Youth Leader, Balmiki Collage, HURPES) - Basubed Devkoat (Peace and Development Campaign) - Sindhunath Pyakurel (former head of the Nepal Bar Association) - Bishnu Nisturi (General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists,FNJ) - Sukharam Maharjan (Vice- President of Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, HURON)
|
