IFJ calls to ensure protection of Rights of Journalists

May 1, 2006
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The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called upon the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to ensure he shows respect for the human rights of individual journalists and the Nepalese press.

Issuing a press release the IFJ has asked the government to cease any arbitrary use of the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance (TADO) and the Public Security Act to detain journalists.

The IFJ supported the reinstatement of Nepal’s parliamentary democracy bringing an end to 14-month long direct rule of the King. “This latest development means the Nepalese people will now be sovereign in a true sense and can decide the future of the nation by constitutional assembly,” the press statement quoted IFJ president Christopher Warren, adding, “Yet the conditions of the Nepalese press remain unfavourable and of serious concern to the IFJ.”

The IFJ called for the release of three journalists that are still being detained by authorities in the capital.

“We must remember the democratic movement would not have achieved the gains it has without the consistent campaigning by Nepalese journalists, who vow to continue the struggle until journalists’ rights are recognised and full press freedom is entrenched in Nepal,” Warren added.

The statement further said the IFJ vehemently condemns the acts of any individual seeking reprisals against journalists working for government media outlets.

This comes after violent attacks on government press agency journalists by militants for alleged bias towards King Gyanendra’s dictatorial regime during the coverage of the pro-democracy movements.