IFJ Backs Call for Action on Nepal Journalist’s Murder

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supports the ongoing program of nationwide protests by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) to demand quick and accountable action by the Government of Nepal in defending media freedom and security.

 

The protest campaign was sparked by the brutal murder of a young print and radio journalist, Uma Singh, in the south-eastern Nepali town of Janakpur on January 11.

 

Several incidents of intimidation and harassment of the media community by cadre of the United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) – the main constituent of the ruling coalition in the country – have also been reported.

 

The recent protests involved signature campaigns in all districts and the symbolic presentation of broken pens to district-level government representatives.

 

All signatures were subsequently collated and appended to a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on January 22, demanding that the murderers of Uma Singh be brought to justice without delay.

 

Meetings have also been held between the FNJ, an IFJ affiliate, and numerous media organisations, civil society groups and the political parties to discuss security and seek an end to the prevailing culture of impunity for attacks on media personnel.

 

The IFJ learns that several arrests have been made in the Uma Singh murder investigation, although formal charges have not yet been laid.

 

“The IFJ calls on authorities in Nepal to make the investigation into Uma Singh’s murder a conspicuous case of upholding the rule of law,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

 

“The Government and its authorities must implement strong measures to end the culture of impunity for attacks on the media in Nepal.”

 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

 

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries