Nepalese King Bans Press Freedom
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=3549
Nepal's media has been subjected to total censorship, as part of
emergency measures announced by King Gyanendra.
Reports critical of the state of emergency declared on Tuesday have
been banned for six months, according to a notice in the main daily
newspaper.
Phone lines and internet links remain cut, so news of a strike call by
Maoist rebels has not reached the public.
The king's new government has told the rebels to return to talks or
face other measures. The rebels have yet to react.
It is not clear what the king has in mind if the rebels fail to
re-enter peace negotiations.
On Wednesday, a spokesman for the Maoists ruled out any possibility of
talks with the king.
The rebels had previously refused to hold negotiations with the last
government, saying they needed a direct dialogue with the king, but
have now condemned the crackdown.
The king's moves have been criticised by the UN, the US, the UK, India
and rights groups. He says he had to act as the government failed to
protect Nepal from the Maoists.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has advised American citizens
against travelling to Nepal, while not banning them from travelling
outright.
A planned summit of South Asian leaders has been postponed, after
India pulled out mainly because of concerns at the turmoil in Nepal.
Army on streets
On Wednesday, King Gyanendra swore in a new cabinet which he will head himself.
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu says the new measures are the
most draconian taken by a Nepalese king since absolute monarchy ended
in 1990.
Many basic rights have been suspended, including freedom of assembly,
the right to privacy and the right against preventative detention.
Reports say soldiers have been stationed in television newsrooms to
vet broadcasts before they are aired.
Our correspondent says soldiers and police in riot gear are everywhere
in Kathmandu, particularly near student campuses where protests tend
to take place.
However, he says people have been saying they are too afraid to
protest because so many fundamental rights have been suspended.
King Gyanendra on Tuesday placed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and
members of his cabinet under house arrest.
Leading opposition politicians have also been detained. Others are
reported to be on the run.
"The king is taking the country back to the Dark Ages," Shovakar
Parajuli, leader of the opposition Congress Party, told the Associated
Press news agency.
The country's new ministers, some of whom have served in previous
governments, are mostly the king's close associates, our correspondent
says.
Source: BBC News, 3 February 2005
South Asia
2005-02-03 13:16:02
Updated 24/7 - 365 days
Journal of Turkish Weekly is an ISRO (USAK) publication
ISRO is an Ankara based NGO
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