Authorities Must Act on Death Threats for Nepali Journalist

August 21, 2012

Authorities Must Act on Death Threats Against Nepali Journalist

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in calling for the immediate investigation of a death threat made against journalist Hemanta Poudel, a reporter with the Samacharpatra daily on August 15 in the far western region of Nepal.

According to reports, a police officer made the threats against Mr Poudel’s life on behalf of the local Superintendent of Police Ghanashyam Aryal.

The threats followed the publication of a report by Sudur Sandesh on August 12, which uncovered local police involvement in cross-border smuggling between Nepal and India.

“Threats against journalists are a serious violation of media rights and press freedom. They are particularly disturbing when made by the very authorities charged with upholding the laws of the country.” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“We call on Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs to launch an immediate, independent investigate into this serious allegation”.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific

ENDS

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