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Punish press attackers: UN
KATHMANDU, MAY 02 -
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR Nepal) has urged the government to bring to justice the perpetrators of press freedom violators, including murderers of journalist Birendra Sah.
“The Office notes that journalists in Nepal have been working in an environment of threats and insecurity that promotes self-censorship,” said OHCHR Nepal in a statement on Sunday issued on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day ( May 3).
“In the past six months, the OHCHR Nepal received reports of at least 28 incidents ranging from intimidation to murder affecting journalists, editors and media entrepreneurs.” Despite repeated calls by journalists and human rights organisations, the government has failed to make a single arrest in relation to incidents of press freedom violations, it said.
“Bringing to book those responsible for attacking mediapersons requires a genuine, determined effort by the authorities, while those sheltering alleged murderers must be prepared to surrender them,” said OHCHR-Nepal Representative Richard Bennett.
“I suggest as a first concrete action that the arrest warrant of those accused of killing journalist Sah in November 2007 be enforced with the full cooperation of the UCPN (Maoist).”
Posted on: 2010-05-03 08:40
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