IFJ welcomes reinstatement of Nepali Parliament

Kathmandu, May 1: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has said that it supports the reinstatement of Nepal's parliamentary democracy but called on the authorities to respect human rights of Nepalese journalists.

''The IFJ welcomes the moves by Nepal's King Gyanendra to reinstate the kingdom's dissolved parliament, which reconvened on Friday April 28, and ended the 14-month rule by the autocratic monarchy,'' it said in a statement.

IFJ president Christopher Warren said this latest development means the Nepalese people will now be sovereign in a true sense and could decide the future of the nation by constitutional assembly.

Yet, the conditions of the Nepalese press remain unfavourable and of serious concern to the IFJ, he added.

With over 200 reported cases of journalists under arrest, physical attacks and injuries while covering the pro-democracy demonstrations, it was evident there was still no guarantee of professional security for journalists, Mr Warren noted.

''The courage of the Nepalese journalists who put themselves at risk to cover the recent demonstrations, which led to the restoration of parliamentary democracy, is to be admired,'' he added.

The IFJ condemned the act of any individual seeking reprisals against journalists working for government media organisations.

UNI

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