Policy Research Group   - Strategic Insight: July 14

July 14
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editor on 14 July, 2010 01:25:00
 
1.Human rights activist abducted
HETAUDA, JUL 14 - A human rights activist has been abducted from Jitpur Ratopul
of Bara on Tuesday. One Ishwor Acharya, member of Human Rights and Peace Society
(HURPES), was abducted at around 6 p.m. yesterday while he was carrying cash for
salary distribution, informed Acharya’s brother-in-law Rajan Mainali.
The abductors have demanded a ransom of Rs. one million and have threatened to
murder Acharya if the demand is not met, Mainali added.
Meanwhile, HURPES has taken serious exception over Acharya’s kidnapping. It
has issued a press release appealing the kidnappers to free Acharya at the
earliest.
http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/07/14/national/human-rights-activist-abducted/318423/
2.State of press freedom worries int'l watchdogs:  KANTIPUR REPORT
KATHMANDU, JUL 13 - International organisations advocating for freedom of
expression have voiced their concerns about the failure of the government of
Nepal to protect the right to freedom of expression in a "submission" to the
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Filed by UK-based ARTICLE 19, a global campaign for free expression, and
US-based Freedom Forum on Monday, the report will be a part of the upcoming
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Nepal. As part of the UPR preparation, the UN
had called on both the government and civil society organisations to submit
their separate reports on situation of human rights in Nepal. Nepal's rights
records will be subject to first-ever UN scrutiny in the 10th session of the UPR
in January 2011. The reports submitted by non-state groups will serve as shadow
report to cross-check the claims made by the government's "national report".
In a statement circulated by Forum's Nepal chapter, the organisations said their
report describes the current challenges to freedom of expression and freedom of
information in Nepal, and highlights the perilous environment journalists and
media workers operate in.
Stating that the Interim Constitution, the Press and Publication Act and the
National Broadcasting Act failed to comply with international standards on
freedom of expression, the press freedom watchdogs have urged UNHRC to recommend
how Nepal should correct these anomalies. They have also urged the UNHRC to
recommend how Nepal needs to conduct effective, impartial and speedy
investigations into attacks on journalists and media workers, addressing
political interference, and bring perpetrators of violence to justice.
"The government must create a safe environment for journalists and media workers
and protect them against violent attacks. In particular, the government must
conclude the investigations into the killings of Uma Singh, Jamim Shah and Arun
Singhaniya, and prosecute the attackers," the report states.
http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/07/13/top-story/state-of-press-freedom-worries-intl-watchdogs/318413/