| 72 journalists were attacked or threatened in Nepal |
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| World Affairs Talk | |
| Tuesday, 12 June 2007 | |
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In Nepal, it is not the government that is creating pressure for the journalists; it is the armed militants those are harassing them with the aim of silencing them or turning them into propagandists. Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontiers has already expressed its concern about the safety of journalists in Nepal, where activists demanding greater rights for the region's people are becoming increasingly active. Violence in Biratnagar in late January, 2007, left one person dead and many injured. The administration had to impose a curfew to bring the situation under control now. There, the Journalists who were covering the violent protests were attacked and were threatened with death. During the violence, nine journalists were assaulted and the local media offices were vandalized. At the same time the violence saw, as many as 12 newspapers offices close down. In the south-eastern Terai region of Nepal, aid workers, human rights activists and Journalists were victim of attacks regularly during unrest between the local militants and the government, lately. The Madhesi People’s Rights Forum was staging demonstrations in the region against the Nepalese government with demands for more political rights and a greater autonomy for the Madhesi people - the predominant ethnic community of the Terai. In 4 February 2007, five local journalists covering the demonstration were seriously injured after they were attacked by protestors in the Tanka Sinabari area near Biratnagar city. The Madhesi protestors are reportedly targeting those who are or look like Nepalese of hill origin, also known as ‘Pahadis’, because the government is dominated by Pahadis. On 17 September 2006, journalists along with a group of Dalits were attacked by a mob on their way to Saileshwori temple in Doti. A mob of people, encouraged by the temple priest and officials of the Saileshwori Development Committee attacked the visiting group of Dalits, journalists and seized cameras and issued death threats. The situation became dangerous for journalists to work in Nepal and the attacks against them are a serious violation of the right to press freedom, so to speak off. Nepali government should take courageous steps including tougher laws to protect the freedom of the press. Share & Bookmark             |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 16 June 2007 ) |
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