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FNJ hotline boon for scribes in distress

KATHMANDU, JAN 12 - Prem Nath Joshi, a journalist associated with the Sangrila Voice and Jana Dristhi weekly recently called the hotline number of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) seeking help. He complained that he has repeatedly been detained for a crime, which he had not committed. Joshi, a Kathmandu based reporter was arrested on charges of robbery in Dhanusha.
"Please tell the Amnesty International and other human rights organisations and help free me," implored Joshi, who called from Hanuman Dhoka, where he was detained.
Joshi is one of the nearly 100 people who have dialled the Hotline number of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists in Kathmandu seeking help.
In the past two months since the establishment of the hotline, FNJ has been receiving calls for help from journalists. The calls relate tales of Maoist torture, disappearances, killings, and arrests by security personnel and death threats.
Joshi was, however, released through the efforts of the FNJ soon after the SOS call.
Shiva Gaule, treasurer at the FNJ said that the hotline was opened to collect information and initiate efforts against the violation of press freedom. The hotline is being run with support coming from the International Media Support (IMS).
"The hotline is a ray of hope for those who have been affected by the conflict one way or another," said Gaule.
Journalist Resham Birahi from Banke was another such caller. He complained that he has repeatedly been threatened by someone who identified himself as a Maoist. He said that they had abducted him a year ago.
All through the day and night, the answering machine of the FNJ hotline keeps on recording calls from journalists. The temporary secretariat formed for this hotline then compiles each and every call carefully in a database.
Then, the real work begins. At first the FNJ uses its own ‘journalistic channel,’ to locate those who have been illegally detained. Then it begins efforts to release the detained.FNJ Secretary Mahendra Bista, who also co-ordinates the secretariat, said that if that does not work then they appeal to national and international media organisations and draws their attention to the matter.
But the calls for help are not just restricted to journalists.
"Now even civilians are calling for help," he said. Those who have had no luck in finding their missing relatives detained by security personnel despite approaching concerned government authorities, also dial in.
FNJ records show that 94 persons have recorded their messages within a two-month period between November 30, 2003 and January 4, 2004. Of these, there are two cases of deaths, one from the Maoist side and the other from the security forces.
There were 63 complaints of arrests of which 50 persons have already been released through efforts of the FNJ. There are 13 cases of disappearance from both the sides.Posted on: 2004-01-13 03:58

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