Nepali Journalist Abducted, Beaten and Threatened


The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is disturbed by reports that Govinda Ghimire, the president of the Sunsari chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), was abducted, beaten and threatened with death by a police official on November 24.

According to the FNJ, an IFJ affiliate, Govinda was returning home from his office when a deputy superintendent of police pulled him into a van. The motivation for the abduction is reportedly related to Govinda’s news reports about a senior police official. Govinda was released after two hours.

In response, journalists in the district organised a 30-minute strike in the FNJ’s Sunsari headquarters and rallied at the District Administration Office on November 25 to demand action against those responsible.

The journalists also submitted memorandums to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Armed Police Force headquarters demanding the abductor be suspended and investigated.

“It is shameful that journalists repeatedly receive threats from security officials for simply fulfilling their roles as reporters of the news,” said Jacqueline Park, Director of IFJ Asia-Pacific.

The IFJ joins the FNJ in condemning the attack and urging the Government to ensure the protection of journalists and take strong action against the assailant.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries