9  March 2010

 

The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is shocked by the murder of publisher and media entrepreneur Arun Singhaniya, who was shot dead on 1 March 2010. The motive for his killing is not known. His murder adds to PEN’s concerns that journalists and writers continue to be targeted with apparent impunity in Nepal, and it urges the authorities to take immediate action to ensure all crimes against journalists are vigorously investigated and those responsible brought to justice, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nepal is a signatory.

Arun Singhaniya, publisher of Janakpur Today and owner of a local radio station, was shot dead at point blank range by four attackers on motorbikes as he travelled home after celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi. He is the second journalist to be killed this year, and many others have reportedly received death threats, leading to serious concerns that press freedom is sharply deteriorating in Nepal. 

According to CPJ, five journalists have been killed in the past three years in Nepal (for more go to http://cpj.org/killed/asia/nepal/ ). They include journalist Birendra Shah, who was abducted and killed whilst investigating a report on illegal sandalwood smuggling. His body was found on 8 November 2007. No action has been taken to bring Shah’s killers to justice (see previous alerts).

Background

After a ten-year long insurgency, a peace agreement was reached by the government of Nepal and the CPN-Maoist party in November 2006, in which both sides agreed to respect press freedom. However, during 2007 this fragile peace process deteriorated, tension between the army and the Maoists grew and reports of attacks on journalists and media outlets began to escalate. The Maoists withdrew from the interim government in September 2007, demanding abolition of the monarchy. Parliament agreed to this condition in December that year, and the rebels rejoined the government. The Maoists emerged as the largest party in parliament following elections in April 2008, and the monarchy was abolished a month later. A new Maoist-dominated government finally took office in August 2008, but quickly disintegrated in May 2009, and was succeeded by another coalition excluding the Maoists led by veteran communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal. Attempts are now being made to bring the Maoists back into the government, but there are mounting concerns that the peace agreement of 2006 could be under threat and violence is escalating in the country.

For the full FNJ report click here: http://www.ifex.org/nepal/2010/03/02/singhaniya_killed/  

For the BBC report see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8545665.stm  

Please send appeals:

Protesting the murder of publisher and media entrepreneur Arun Singhaniya on 1 March 2010;
Calling for a full, prompt and impartial investigation into his killing and all other attacks and murders of journalists and media workers in Nepal;
Calling on the authorities to take all necessary measures to protect journalists and media workers in Nepal, in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nepal is a signatory.
 
Appeals to:
Prime Minister
Madhav Kumar Nepal
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Singh Durbar
Kathmandu, Nepal
P.O. Box: 23312

Email: info@opmcm.gov.np


Ministry of Home Affairs
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu
Republic of Nepal

Fax: +977 1 4211264
Email: moha@wlink.com.np


If possible please send appeals via the diplomatic representative for Nepal in your country.


**Please contact the WiPC office if sending appeals after 30 April 2010**

For further details contact Cathy McCann, 50/51 Brownlow House, High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: + (0) 20 7405 0339. Email: Cathy.McCann@internationalpen.org.uk

 
Letter Template:

Dear Sir

I am a freelance editor who lives in New Zealand.  I was shocked to hear of the murder of publisher and media entrepreneur Arun Singhaniya, who was shot dead on 1 March 2010. I understand the motive for his killing is not known.

However his murder adds to worldwide concern that journalists and writers continue to be targeted with apparent impunity in Nepal. I urge the authorities to take immediate action to ensure his killing as well as all other crimes against journalists and media workers in Nepal are vigorously investigated, and that those responsible are brought to justice, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nepal is a signatory.

Yours sincerely