King's Address
The King addressed a ceremony felicitating him organized by Tribhuvan University, to which he is the chancellor. The summary of his speech was, for political interest, was that the parties if they call themselves democratic should come forward to support him to fightagainst terrorism. He said he wanted the parties to be popular and effective engaging themselves in democratic process.
During his early speeches, the King used to criticize parties for failing to understand the country's situation and not functioning properly. In the latest one, he was neutral - not criticizing them and asking them for reconciliation with him. It looked like he is under a bit pressure, but still stubborn to his intentions.
Seven Parties' Agitation
The seven big parties of the country jointly staged an agitation rally where the top leaders publicly asked the King to choose between absolute democracy (constitutional monarchy) or a republic. The rally organized by Nepali Congress, Nepali Congress Democratic, Nepal Communist Party - United Marxist Lennist, People's Front Nepal, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Nepal Sadbhawana Party and United Left Front was participated by thousands of people - it was the biggest rally after Feb 1.
Political leaders heavily criticized the King for his Feb 1 move and asked him to restore dissolved House of Representatives.
Govt Bans Media House
On the same day, the Ministry of Information and Communication ordered Communication Corner, a radio program production house, to close down saying it was being run illegally. Communication Corner produces programs for more than a dozen FM radio stations around the country.
They stopped producing Nepal Khabar a news and current affairs program after Feb 1 while Kayakaran, another similar program used to be broadcasted by 12 FM stations, now is only broadcasted in Hong Kong.
The decision came days after the journalists issued protest programs against the press law ordinance and the FM journalists readying themselves for agitation.
Human Rights Commission
The King nominated all controversial people in the National Human Rights Commission after the tenure of earlier committee expired. Nayan Bahadur Khatri, the 80-year-old chairman, kept his place (probably a reward for him to speaking in favor of the King\'s move in UN\'s Geneva Meeting). Other appointed were all considered the supporters of the King.
They stopped producing Nepal Khabar a news and current affairs program after Feb 1 while Kayakaran, another similar program used to be broadcasted by 12 FM stations, now is only broadcasted in Hong Kong.
The decision came days after the journalists issued protest programs against the press law ordinance and the FM journalists readying themselves for agitation.
Human Rights Commission
The King nominated all controversial people in the National Human Rights Commission after the tenure of earlier committee expired. Nayan Bahadur Khatri, the 80-year-old chairman, kept his place (probably a reward for him to speaking in favor of the King's move in UN's Geneva Meeting). Other appointed were all considered the supporters of the King.
King Gyandendra of Nepal has issued a ban on independent news broadcasts and has threatened to punish newspapers for reports that run counter to the official monarchist line. Given that any person in Nepal publishing reports critical of "the spirit of the royal proclamation" is subject to punishment and/or imprisonment, contributors to this blog will publish their reports from Nepal anonymously.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Saturday, May 21, 2005
The Indirect Media Censorship
King Gyanendra ended the media censorship immediately after his foreign tour to show the world that he is moving towards the direction of restoring press freedom. But it was only a trick - and here comes the unmistakable proof of that. The government has drafted an ordinance that would amend some Nepal laws related to press and anybody can tell that the ordinance is for nothing but to keep the media silent and afraid.
The ordinance has introduced strict measures against media ownership and broadcasting of news related programs.
The ordinance asks any individual or organization owning all newspaper, radio and television to choose any two within a year. It says no single organization will now after granted license to operate more than two media. In other time this could have looked good but at the present situation it only looks like a measure to weaken Kantipur - the largest publication and broadcasting house in the country and the most vibrant one in demanding democracy.
And I think the ordinance would not likely to effect the government that owns all three types of media too because there is nothing about it in the ordinance.
Those 1,000 journalists who previously worked for FM radio stations and who lost their jobs after the King's regime barred these radio from broadcasting news are more in trouble now as the ordinance not only bans FM radio from broadcasting news but also anything that is 'informative'.
And, the ordinance puts media on the situation where it can't criticize government or anybody in the government. If the media do so, they have to pay a hefty fine.
Other laws that is amended by the ordinance mainly deals with what to publish and what to not. There are hefty fines and harsh punishment introduced against those who violate the rules.
With all the amendments it would be now easier for the King to extend control on media though indirectly and the media industry which were hit hard by the King after the takeover are now 'to be punched right on nose'.
The ordinance has introduced strict measures against media ownership and broadcasting of news related programs.
The ordinance asks any individual or organization owning all newspaper, radio and television to choose any two within a year. It says no single organization will now after granted license to operate more than two media. In other time this could have looked good but at the present situation it only looks like a measure to weaken Kantipur - the largest publication and broadcasting house in the country and the most vibrant one in demanding democracy.
And I think the ordinance would not likely to effect the government that owns all three types of media too because there is nothing about it in the ordinance.
Those 1,000 journalists who previously worked for FM radio stations and who lost their jobs after the King's regime barred these radio from broadcasting news are more in trouble now as the ordinance not only bans FM radio from broadcasting news but also anything that is 'informative'.
And, the ordinance puts media on the situation where it can't criticize government or anybody in the government. If the media do so, they have to pay a hefty fine.
Other laws that is amended by the ordinance mainly deals with what to publish and what to not. There are hefty fines and harsh punishment introduced against those who violate the rules.
With all the amendments it would be now easier for the King to extend control on media though indirectly and the media industry which were hit hard by the King after the takeover are now 'to be punched right on nose'.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Defying Court Orders
Two student leaders Rajendra Rai and Rup Narayan Shrestha were ordered to be released by the Supreme Court on May 16. The policemen were ready to re-arrest them inside the court premises - as soon as they came out along with their lawyers, police tried to arrest them despite protests from lawyers, journalists and followers. Rai was arrested while Shrestha was avoided it by the help of his supporters.
Similar incident happened two weeks ago to Gagan Kumar Thapa and Pradeep Paudel. Both were released by Supreme Court, they signed the papers and were re-arrested.
On May 18, a few communist leaders were released by court orders but the lawyers and others had to do a lot of exercise to keep him away from re-arrest. There were two police vans inside the court premises which were later removed after the registrar inquired about it.
Nepal Bar Association staged a protest to raise voice against such unlawful activities and the Home Minister Dan Bahadur Shahi met Chief Justice on May 18. Probably he told the CJ to be careful about such decisions but his answer to the journalists' query about re-arrest was simple: The Supreme Court ordered to release them. Did it say not to re-arrest them?
All these shows the situation in Nepal hasn't improved despite the 100 days of the King's rule were over. The king had previously promised the international communities to improve the situation in 100 days - but had he forget about the promise? Or what's going on is the improvement of situation?
Things look glum for us who want democracy to be restored soon since the Indian government flip-flopped from its earlier reactions and resumed the military support (though the Indian PM said only vehicles). India as a big neighbor of Nepal has always wanted to keep the tiny country under their grip and has a lot of things to bargain for. I don't know what they have bargained this time but am sure that the partial support to the King didn't come without a price.
Meanwhile, the hard days for journalists aren't over yet. On May 18, the government grilled publisher of Himal magazine and noted journalists Kanak Mani Dixit. Similarly, Dev Kumar Subedi of Surkhet district working for Samaya Weekly was handed over a three-month detention on May 14.
On 14 May 2005, newly elected Federation of Nepalese Journalists President, Bishnu Nisthuri and General Secretary, Mahendra Bista cancelled a trip to Islamabad, Pakistan to attend a South Asia Parliamentary Forum. Nisthuri and Bista cancelled their trip in solidarity for security personnel unconstitutionally barring Nabaraj Subedi, the General Secretary of People's Front Nepal and former parliamentarian from travelling as part of the delegation of senior media personalities and political leaders to Islamabad.
Similarly, journalists have been denied access to prepaid mobile phone use two weeks after Nepalese authorities resumed the service. Yubaraj Ghimire, editor, Samay Weekly; Taranath Dahal, former FNJ President; Gunraj Luitel, news editor, Kantipur Daily; Puskar Lal Shrestha, editor, Nepal Samacharptra and Ujir Magar, sub-editor, Kantipur Daily have all been denied access to prepaid mobile phone service.
On May 15, FNJ President, Bishnu Nisthuri was allowed to visit Bhaikaji Ghimire, managing director of Sam Dristi Weekly in Nakhu Jail, Kathmandu. Ghmire has been kept in custody for 18 months without an arrest warrant or appearing before a judicial court reportedly in connection to an article he published "Nirnayak Yatra" (The deciding voyage).
Similar incident happened two weeks ago to Gagan Kumar Thapa and Pradeep Paudel. Both were released by Supreme Court, they signed the papers and were re-arrested.
On May 18, a few communist leaders were released by court orders but the lawyers and others had to do a lot of exercise to keep him away from re-arrest. There were two police vans inside the court premises which were later removed after the registrar inquired about it.
Nepal Bar Association staged a protest to raise voice against such unlawful activities and the Home Minister Dan Bahadur Shahi met Chief Justice on May 18. Probably he told the CJ to be careful about such decisions but his answer to the journalists' query about re-arrest was simple: The Supreme Court ordered to release them. Did it say not to re-arrest them?
All these shows the situation in Nepal hasn't improved despite the 100 days of the King's rule were over. The king had previously promised the international communities to improve the situation in 100 days - but had he forget about the promise? Or what's going on is the improvement of situation?
Things look glum for us who want democracy to be restored soon since the Indian government flip-flopped from its earlier reactions and resumed the military support (though the Indian PM said only vehicles). India as a big neighbor of Nepal has always wanted to keep the tiny country under their grip and has a lot of things to bargain for. I don't know what they have bargained this time but am sure that the partial support to the King didn't come without a price.
Meanwhile, the hard days for journalists aren't over yet. On May 18, the government grilled publisher of Himal magazine and noted journalists Kanak Mani Dixit. Similarly, Dev Kumar Subedi of Surkhet district working for Samaya Weekly was handed over a three-month detention on May 14.
On 14 May 2005, newly elected Federation of Nepalese Journalists President, Bishnu Nisthuri and General Secretary, Mahendra Bista cancelled a trip to Islamabad, Pakistan to attend a South Asia Parliamentary Forum. Nisthuri and Bista cancelled their trip in solidarity for security personnel unconstitutionally barring Nabaraj Subedi, the General Secretary of People's Front Nepal and former parliamentarian from travelling as part of the delegation of senior media personalities and political leaders to Islamabad.
Similarly, journalists have been denied access to prepaid mobile phone use two weeks after Nepalese authorities resumed the service. Yubaraj Ghimire, editor, Samay Weekly; Taranath Dahal, former FNJ President; Gunraj Luitel, news editor, Kantipur Daily; Puskar Lal Shrestha, editor, Nepal Samacharptra and Ujir Magar, sub-editor, Kantipur Daily have all been denied access to prepaid mobile phone service.
On May 15, FNJ President, Bishnu Nisthuri was allowed to visit Bhaikaji Ghimire, managing director of Sam Dristi Weekly in Nakhu Jail, Kathmandu. Ghmire has been kept in custody for 18 months without an arrest warrant or appearing before a judicial court reportedly in connection to an article he published "Nirnayak Yatra" (The deciding voyage).
Thursday, April 28, 2005
State Vandalism in Nepal
King Gyanendra would call his foreign tour that included his participation in the Asian-African Summit 2005 a successful one - mainly because the Indian Government did the U-turn about the military aid. At the summit, he reiterated his commitment to democracy and put forward some points supporting his February 1 coup that had definitely earned him some good fame.
But saying and doing are two different things and that can be entirely different: the King proved it.
On April 25, plain-cloth policemen vandalized the central office of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist) or CPN (UML) - the second largest political party of the nation, when the party was mourning death of a leader - Sadhana Pradhan - the wife of first elected communist prime minister of the world Man Mohan Adhikari.
If you think this a party propaganda, read the statement from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), whose chairman supported the King's move in the international forum which drew much criticism. According to reports, Nayan Bahadur Khatri said after the inspection: "This is foolish act and we will take necessary action."
The statement by NHRC said plainclothes policemen in masks vandalized the door and windows and also pointed guns at the students at the UML office. The move was criticized by all the political parties, more than a dozen human rights association and many other organizations.
But had we heard anything from the government? Where is the answer of the question? Will there be an investigation on the issue? All the answers should have a 'YES' answer in democracy, but in King's rule, it might just be unheard and unanswered of.
On April 27's night, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was oust by the King to grab the power, was arrested on corruption charges. It would have been a good move by the state if it had been done properly with the assurance that there will be proper investigation. But the way it happened indicates it as a terrorism functioning than a state functioning.
Deuba was arrested at 2am when he was asleep by plainclothes policemen. More than three-dozen policemen, some of them uniformed, entered Deuba's house after cutting off the phone connection and arrested him despite family protest of 'midnight action'. After the arrest, the electricity was also cut off at his residence.
Despite strict direction to press not to criticize the King, some newspapers condemned both these actions calling it a 'vagabond action'.
Plainclothes policemen are more at action than the uniformed one - we don't know why. Besides these, the arrests of student leaders including Gagan Kumar Thapa and many other rallying protesters and leaders, plainclothes policemen do the action.
The King's democracy has all this for us. Let's see what will come next and how long.
But saying and doing are two different things and that can be entirely different: the King proved it.
On April 25, plain-cloth policemen vandalized the central office of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist) or CPN (UML) - the second largest political party of the nation, when the party was mourning death of a leader - Sadhana Pradhan - the wife of first elected communist prime minister of the world Man Mohan Adhikari.
If you think this a party propaganda, read the statement from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), whose chairman supported the King's move in the international forum which drew much criticism. According to reports, Nayan Bahadur Khatri said after the inspection: "This is foolish act and we will take necessary action."
The statement by NHRC said plainclothes policemen in masks vandalized the door and windows and also pointed guns at the students at the UML office. The move was criticized by all the political parties, more than a dozen human rights association and many other organizations.
But had we heard anything from the government? Where is the answer of the question? Will there be an investigation on the issue? All the answers should have a 'YES' answer in democracy, but in King's rule, it might just be unheard and unanswered of.
On April 27's night, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was oust by the King to grab the power, was arrested on corruption charges. It would have been a good move by the state if it had been done properly with the assurance that there will be proper investigation. But the way it happened indicates it as a terrorism functioning than a state functioning.
Deuba was arrested at 2am when he was asleep by plainclothes policemen. More than three-dozen policemen, some of them uniformed, entered Deuba's house after cutting off the phone connection and arrested him despite family protest of 'midnight action'. After the arrest, the electricity was also cut off at his residence.
Despite strict direction to press not to criticize the King, some newspapers condemned both these actions calling it a 'vagabond action'.
Plainclothes policemen are more at action than the uniformed one - we don't know why. Besides these, the arrests of student leaders including Gagan Kumar Thapa and many other rallying protesters and leaders, plainclothes policemen do the action.
The King's democracy has all this for us. Let's see what will come next and how long.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Peace Bond: Sign of Problems
For the first time, Nepalis were given a chance to know that the King alone is unable to run the country smoothly. The news of the government issuing Peace Bond to raise Rs. 5.5 billion is a clear effect of the lack of fund for coming fiscal year as the international donor communities have shy away.
Despite stern warning to the press, some noted newspaper criticized the government's latest decision saying 'this would have a long term effect on Nepali economics.' No wonder, it was a tested formula - by neighbors. India and Pakistan did the same after donors stepped back due to their nuclear test. Notable here is that the Indian were more successful in it than Pakistanis and that's because Pakistan was being ruled by a man.
Nepali government has probably hopes that Nepalis living abroad would be interested in the bond - and for that reason, it could be bought in equivalent to dollars and named 'Peace' - a word that would attract anybody.
Will I buy it? No, not because it has nothing to do with the peace. It will be used more for army's budget and to kill the Nepalis. Since, the rebels' leader has denied talking in such condition, there is no way we should give money to army to kill Nepalis (especially in the condition when their acts are hidden due to media absence). There have been lots of talks about human-rights abuses by the army, even the King in his interview with TIME magazine, didn't deny that.
The present government is the most uncompetitive in recent times, thus we can expect no visionary program from them. They probably overlooked the future of economy while the King told them about the bond. But that will be the big burden for Nepal in coming future because - neither it isn't likely that the country is capable of developing national resources to pay back nor the international donors seem convinced with the King's move and motives. Also another damaging factor is that the interest rate of the bond would be much higher than that of international loan (and also considerable is the valuation of the bond in dollars).
The King has to step down someday - there is no alternative to that but it looks like he wants all Nepalis to curse him for burden when he steps down.
Despite stern warning to the press, some noted newspaper criticized the government's latest decision saying 'this would have a long term effect on Nepali economics.' No wonder, it was a tested formula - by neighbors. India and Pakistan did the same after donors stepped back due to their nuclear test. Notable here is that the Indian were more successful in it than Pakistanis and that's because Pakistan was being ruled by a man.
Nepali government has probably hopes that Nepalis living abroad would be interested in the bond - and for that reason, it could be bought in equivalent to dollars and named 'Peace' - a word that would attract anybody.
Will I buy it? No, not because it has nothing to do with the peace. It will be used more for army's budget and to kill the Nepalis. Since, the rebels' leader has denied talking in such condition, there is no way we should give money to army to kill Nepalis (especially in the condition when their acts are hidden due to media absence). There have been lots of talks about human-rights abuses by the army, even the King in his interview with TIME magazine, didn't deny that.
The present government is the most uncompetitive in recent times, thus we can expect no visionary program from them. They probably overlooked the future of economy while the King told them about the bond. But that will be the big burden for Nepal in coming future because - neither it isn't likely that the country is capable of developing national resources to pay back nor the international donors seem convinced with the King's move and motives. Also another damaging factor is that the interest rate of the bond would be much higher than that of international loan (and also considerable is the valuation of the bond in dollars).
The King has to step down someday - there is no alternative to that but it looks like he wants all Nepalis to curse him for burden when he steps down.
Must-Read Stories: April 20
Exclusive Stories From TIME Magazine on Nepal
Rebel Territory: A look inside the lives of Nepal's Maoist rebels
Gunning for Nepal: A TIME special report on the bloody civil war that is tearing the Himalayan kingdom apart
Interview with King Gyanendra [TIME]
Extended Interview with King Gyanendra [TIME]
A Strategy of Failure
South Asian Intelligence Review
UN Human Rights Body Urges Nepal to Restore Democracy
Voice of America [VOA]
Human rights abuses escalate under the state of emergency
Amnesty International
Rebel Territory: A look inside the lives of Nepal's Maoist rebels
Gunning for Nepal: A TIME special report on the bloody civil war that is tearing the Himalayan kingdom apart
Interview with King Gyanendra [TIME]
Extended Interview with King Gyanendra [TIME]
A Strategy of Failure
South Asian Intelligence Review
UN Human Rights Body Urges Nepal to Restore Democracy
Voice of America [VOA]
Human rights abuses escalate under the state of emergency
Amnesty International
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Municipal Election: For Covering Up the Death of Democracy
The King has announced that there would be municipal election in the country within a year. The Election Commission said they had already started updating voters' list to fulfill the 'wish of the King'. The political parties said they would not participate in the election unless there is democracy and freedom in the country.
So what's next? I believe there will be municipal election soon - no problem if the parties choose to stay out (that will be even better for the King and there will be small parties willing to participate to benefit from the opportunity), no problem if the turnout is low, no problem whatsoever with the results. The King wants to show the world that he believes in the democracy and thus using the election (considered worldwide as a mean of exercising democratic power by the people) as a tool to deceive the international communities.
The result of municipal election is going to have no problem for the King because a) the elected body will have no power in the high level, and b) even if they try to do something like that the King has already implemented a plan to stop that by appointing his men as zonal-chiefs in 14 zones and regional chiefs in five development regions (Politically Nepal is divided into 5 Development Regions, 14 Zones and 75 districts).
So there can be nothing better for the King to show the world his 'democratic commitment' than by holding election. You will see how the authority will try to show the municipal election as a democratic process and the international media will be tried to utilize by feeding such information that this election is a first step to show the King's commitment towards democracy.
And, since he has said the election within one year, the international communities would be forced to wait and see it for a year. And after election, the King would try to persuade them for continue stopped support for Nepal. But I believe the international communities should understand the situation - and believe that unless the King steps down and give away the executive powers to the people's representatives, there will be no democracy in Nepal.
So what's next? I believe there will be municipal election soon - no problem if the parties choose to stay out (that will be even better for the King and there will be small parties willing to participate to benefit from the opportunity), no problem if the turnout is low, no problem whatsoever with the results. The King wants to show the world that he believes in the democracy and thus using the election (considered worldwide as a mean of exercising democratic power by the people) as a tool to deceive the international communities.
The result of municipal election is going to have no problem for the King because a) the elected body will have no power in the high level, and b) even if they try to do something like that the King has already implemented a plan to stop that by appointing his men as zonal-chiefs in 14 zones and regional chiefs in five development regions (Politically Nepal is divided into 5 Development Regions, 14 Zones and 75 districts).
So there can be nothing better for the King to show the world his 'democratic commitment' than by holding election. You will see how the authority will try to show the municipal election as a democratic process and the international media will be tried to utilize by feeding such information that this election is a first step to show the King's commitment towards democracy.
And, since he has said the election within one year, the international communities would be forced to wait and see it for a year. And after election, the King would try to persuade them for continue stopped support for Nepal. But I believe the international communities should understand the situation - and believe that unless the King steps down and give away the executive powers to the people's representatives, there will be no democracy in Nepal.
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