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48 An IPI special report on August violations in Nepal detailed 23 press violations that month. The IPI Nepal Press Free - dom Monitoring Centre and other sour - ces reported seven instances of physical harassment, eight cases of threats and intimidation against journalists, five instances of damaged property, one firing and the brief detention of 59 journalists. On 3 September, IPI and its Press Freedom Monitoring Centre reminded political leaders of their verbal commitments to press freedom and journalist safety. But individuals, political parties and other groups continued to attack journalists and vandalize media offices with little sign of government interest in protecting the press. On 18 October, Sandakpur Daily journalist Yabaraj Gautam was reportedly beaten up by a local bus driver, after publishing a story alleging that local vehicles charge more than the public rate. Two days later, unknown attackers raided the offices of the Terai Times in Janakpur, Nepal in Brief attacking two staff members and vandalising office equipment. The vice president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Abadesh Jha, and News Today journalist Sanatan Mandal were attacked at the Tiffin Room Hotel in eastern Nepal on 5 November. The reason was unknown. On 12 November, journalists Dinesh Thapa of FNJ’s Sindhupalchowk chapter and Netra Paudel of Sindhu Prabaha weekly were attacked by protest organizers in Sindhupalchowk district. When the journalists arrived to cover the de - monstration, they were beaten by protesters who reportedly were upset that they had not arrived promptly after being notified about the event, and because they had not published news favourable to the protestors. November saw a spate of attacks on media offices and journalists. On 13 No - vember, unknown attackers vandalised a regional office of the National News Agency (RSS) in Biratnagar. Three days Population: 29.5 million Domestic Overview: Nepal’s monarchy experimented with democracy as early as 1950, and in 1990, the country became a parliamentary democracy headed by a constitutional monarch. The country saw a string of short-term governments throughout the 1990s. A violent Maoist insurgency, which ultimately took over 13,000 lives, emerged in 1996. Peace talks repeatedly failed, and prompted strong reactions by King Gyanendra, culminating in a 2005 state of emergency that included a temporary suspension of the majority of fundamental rights and the replacement of the Cabinet with a Council of Ministers. Massive demonstrations, joined by the Maoists, forced the king to reinstate parliament in April 2006. More promising cease-fire agreements were soon reached with the insurgents. By January 2007, an interim parliament, which included Maoist representatives, was put in place, and an interim constitution endorsed. It was soon followed by an interim Council of Ministers. The country’s historic Constitution Assembly election was held on 10 April of this year, and brought most votes for the Maoist party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). The Nepali Congress Party and the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist also made strong showings. The country’s new President Ram Baran Yadav was elected in July. Maoist leader Pushpa Kumal Dahal, also know as Prachanda, was elected as Prime Minister on 15 August. Beyond Borders: The foreign policy of Nepal, the“yam between two rocks”, has long been dominated by relations with its powerful neighbours, India and the People’s Republic of China. Prachanda ruffled feathers when he visited China before travelling to India upon taking office, but soon reaffirmed his interest in strong relations with both countries. His approach has unsettled the many Tibetan refugees living in the country, whose protests against Chinese rule prompted strong reactions by Nepal’s police force throughout the year. later, the offices of Himal Khabar Patrika magazine were burnt down in Kathman - du. According to reports, eight to ten people entered the property at around 9:45pm, burned 5,000 copies of the ma - gazine, and stole and vandalized telephones. On 17 November, several people at - tacked the editor and publisher of Nuwa - kot Jagaran weekly, Shiva Devkota, who had been participating in a public awareness campaign organized by the NC. His right hand was reportedly severely inju - red. The string of incidents continued the next day, when the regional bureau office of Avenues Television was attacked by a group led by Bishnu Prasad Sharma. The leader said he was from the Khumbuwan National Front (KRM) district committee in Sunsari province, where the attack took place. The assaulters threatened two journalists, attacked an office assistant and threatened to attack the office with bombs. FNJ believes the TV office was attacked because the station had been collecting information on a land dispute complaint involving the KRM Sunsari committee. Individuals, political parties and other groups continued to attack journalists and vandalize media offices with little sign of government interest in protecting the press On 28 November, missing reporter Jagat Joshi’s clothing and other possessions were found in a forest near Attariva. Freedom Forum reported that scattered skeletal remains were also found. Joshi, of the national daily Janadisha, had been missing since 8 October. He had gone to the town of Attariva and had planned to visit Kathmandu, but never returned home. According to FNJ, his family suspects that he was killed by two brothers involved in the illegal trade of tiger skins, although they may have been aided by “political forces” that received pointed criticism in Joshi’s stories. December brought several more threats against journalists, including two reporters from the daily Kantipur. Also, the offices of two newspapers in Naya Bazaar were vandalized by unidentified
Nepal Communist Party Maoist leader Prachanda talks to journalists regarding the forthcoming Constituent Assembly elections in Kathmandu. (Reuters/Deepa Shrestha) individuals who damaged furniture and destroyed documents. Then, the head of the Young Communists League referenced the attack on the Himal office when warning Kantipur publications that it was next. These incidents underscored the strug gles that lie ahead. Encouragingly, on 28 December, the FNJ and the government signed a ten point agreement in which the government explicitly agreed to a commitment in the Constituent As - sembly to safeguard press freedom and journalist safety. The agreement also calls for a special bureau within the Infor ma - tion and Communications Ministry to investigate press freedom violations. Recommendations End impunity by vigorously investigating and prosecuting physical attacks against journalists Enshrine broad protection for press freedom in the new constitution Promote dialogue with government, law enforcement and the public to deepen their understanding of the media’s role in democratic societies Mission Press Freedom in Nepal Members of the June 2008 IPI Mission to Nepal N. Ravi, editor of the Indian daily, The Hindu and Taranath Dahal, General Secretary of the IPI Nepal National Committee, meet with Nepal’s Prime Minister Prachanda With Constituent Assembly elections scheduled for April 2008, Nepal became the focus of considerable attention by the international community. IPI joined two international missions in connection with the landmark event, and conducted a separate mission soon thereafter. Pushing for Fair Elections The International Press Freedom and Free dom of Expression Mission to Nepal brought 12 international organisations to the country from 14 to 17 January. IPI joined UN agencies, global media associations, freedom of expression advocates and media development organisations to voice concerns about continuing press freedom violations and emphasize the importance of impartial and independent media coverage, particularly for free and fair elections. Members of the international mission spoke with government ministers, political party leaders, community leaders and the security forces during their visit. IPI Deputy Director Michael Kudlak represented IPI. A report from the international mission members clarified the challenging context in which the elections were to take place. It emphasized that harassment and impunity were widespread, noting, for example, that the Federation of Nepali Journalists recorded 652 incidents of press freedom violations between April 2006 and December 2007. The mission therefore particularly en - couraged leaders to publicize measures to ensure journalist safety. Addressing the country’s media, the international mission urged publications to provide independent and impartial coverage of the elections, noting with concern reported cases of hate-speech and violence-promoting content. It also announced that it would send a short-term observation team to Nepal dur ing the elections to focus on the me - dia situation. Organisations participating in the January 2008 mission included ARTI- CLE 19, Hirondelle Foundation, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Media Support (IMS), the International Press Institute (IPI), Internews, Reporters Without Bor - ders (RSF), the Open Society Institute (OSI), UNESCO, the World Associat ion of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and the World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC). It was greatly assis - ted by the Federation of Nepali Journa l - ists and other national organisations that prepared and hosted the visit. 49
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Page 8 and 9: 6 Asia By Barbara Trionfi Cyber-Cen
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Page 66 and 67: 64 Justice Denied By Barbara Trionf
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Page 74 and 75: 72 Uzbekistan by Patti McCracken An
Page 76 and 77: 74 Vietnam by Patti McCracken Vietn
Page 78 and 79: 76 Africa By Uta Melzer Where Infor
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100 Acknowledgements The Internatio
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102 Acknowledgements The Austrian I
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