IFJ Concerned Over Journalist's Arrest in Nepal

The International Federation of Journalists has sent a letter of protest to the Prime Minister of Nepal, voicing its concern over the arrest of journalist Yogesh Rawal, in Tikapur, Kailali district and calls upon the Government of Nepal to release all journalists currently under arrest in Nepal and make a commitment to freedom of the press in Nepal by not employing intimidation in an attempt to censor the media.

31 October 2003



Honorable Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa
Prime Minister of Nepal
Prime Minister’s Office
Singh Dubar
Kathmandu
Kingdom of Nepal
Fax: 9771226286, 9771227765
Email: [email protected]


Honorable Mr. Ananat Raj Pandey
Secretary for Home Affairs, HMG/Nepal
Fax: 9771228166,
Email: [email protected]


Mr. Nayan Bahadur Khatri
Chairman, Nepal Human Rights Commission
Fax: 9771547973
Email: [email protected]



Your Excellency,


The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), The International Federation of Journalists, the global organisation of journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide is deeply concerned over the arrest of journalist Yogesh Rawal, in Tikapur in the Kailali district of Nepal.

According to our information, on 24 October, journalist, Rawal along with 22 soccer players were arrested by officers of the Armed Police Force (ARF) based in Ugratara.

The soccer players were all released after one hour. On 25 October, the police raided Rawal’s house, according to his father, and confiscated two books on human rights. Rawal is the secretary of a local Amnesty International group and a member of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in Kailali.

The IFJ strongly condemns the arrest of Rawal and reminds Government of Nepal that journalists must be allowed to work free from censorship and intimidation in order to ensure a free and unbiased media.

The IFJ asks the Government of Nepal to disclose the whereabouts of all journalists who are currently under arrest and release them all immediately.

Further more the IFJ calls on the Nepalese government to express its commitment to press freedom and to ensure the safety of all journalists in Nepal.



Yours sincerely,



Christopher Warren
President, IFJ



Recommended action:


Send appeals:

  • Condemning the arrest of journalist Yogesh Rawal

  • Urging the Government of Nepal to release all journalists currently under arrest in Nepal

  • Urging the Government to ensure the safety of all journalists working in Nepal.


    Appeals:


    Honorable Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa
    Prime Minister of Nepal
    Prime Minister’s Office
    Singh Dubar
    Kathmandu
    Kingdom of Nepal
    Fax: 9771226286, 9771227765
    Email: [email protected]


    Honorable Mr. Ananat Raj Pandey
    Secretary for Home Affairs, HMG/Nepal
    Fax: 9771228166,
    Email: [email protected]


    Mr. Nayan Bahadur Khatri
    Chairman, Nepal Human Rights Commission
    Fax: 9771547973
    Email: [email protected]