Nepal-Journalist-Death
World journalists condemn killing of Nepalese journalist
Brussels, June 27, IRNA -- The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) Thursday strongly condemned the killing of
Krishna Sen, editor of Janadisha -- apparently in jail after being
tortured -- and called on Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba
to immediately launch an investigation and bring those responsible
to justice.
The IFJ, quoting international sources, said Sen was arrested
on May 20 and died, probably sometime last week, after being tortured
at an undisclosed prison to make him confess to his alleged ties to
the Maoist movement and contacts with the Maoist leaders.
"These reports, if true, are a horrifying indicator of the
deterioration in the conditions for press freedom in Nepal," said
Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.
"We demand a full investigation of the reported torture and
killing of our colleague," he added.
In March a Nepalese court ordered Sen's release after more than
two years in prison for having published an interview with rebel
leader Baburam Bhattarai.
The IFJ was told on Wednesday by its affiliate the National
Union of Journalists of Nepal of Sen's death.
There have been regular reports on the deteriorating safety and
press freedom conditions of Nepalese journalists. During the last six
months, local rights groups say more than 100 journalists have been
arrested.
Various fact-finding missions by major international press freedom
groups have also revealed systematic torture and regular abductions by
the security forces as well as the Maoist movement.
The Brussels-based IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in
more than 100 countries.
::irna 19:46 |