Journalists targeted in Nepalposted on: 2006/05/07

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.”

A government ban on protests in the Himalayan country came into force on 4 April – two days ahead of the scheduled national strike and six days ahead of a

Nepal: Dozens arrested ahead of pro-democracy strikeposted on: 2006/04/11

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.