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VOL. 28, NO. 17, Jan 02, 2009 (Paush 18 2065 B.S.)
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Gurung Communities celebrating Tamu Loshar |
PRESIDENT DR RAM BARAN YADAV has said Nepal as a democratic nation treats all religions equally. Dr Yadav further said that Nepalis living in Terai, hills and mountain regions should show religious tolerance and live in peace and harmony. He said this while addressing a program organized on the occasion of Christmas in the capital on Thursday (Dec 25). Speaker Subas Nemwang, leaders of political parties, ministers and representatives of various religious communities attended the program organized by the local Christian community. The government had declared public holiday on the occasion of Christmas on Thursday.
FIVE MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS came together on Tuesday (Dec 23) to take forward a joint struggle to protect press freedom from recent serious threats. Nepal Media Society and Editors' Alliance joined forces with BAN (Broadcasting Association of Nepal), ACORAB (Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal), KVFB (Kathmandu Valley FM Broadcasters) to launch the Alliance for Press Freedom. The Alliance brings together Nepal's national daily newspapers, magazines, television stations, radio networks and news portals. "The reason we have to come together is to magnify the voice from all sectors of media for the protection of their freedoms at a time when they are under serious threat," said the Alliance in a statement. A task force has been set up by the Alliance to determine its immediate strategy to put pressure on the government to protect constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the media against threats. It will also chart out medium- and long-term strategies to safeguard press freedom. Mohan Bista of ACORAB said the Nepali press has never been under as much pressure as it is now. "This is a collective pressure group that is unique partnership across the Nepali media spectrum," said Kailash Sirohiya of Nepal Media Society. Noting that the recent attack on the press is just the latest, Bishnuhari Dhakal of BAN said that the media outlets in the districts have been facing such threats for a long time. "This time it's the media industry that is under attack but the industry sector as a whole has been facing similar threats for a long time," said Bhaskar Raj Karnikar of Avenues TV. Kunda Dixit of the Editors Alliance said, "Our strength comes from our unity. That's the only way we can deal with violent threats against our freedoms." In a recent blatant attack on Himalmedia, Maoist-affiliated workers had vandalized the office of the publishing house on Sunday, injuring at least a dozen staffers including senior editors and management officials.
IN THEIR FIRST INTERNATIONAL VICTORY, Nepal's women cricket team lifted the ACC U-19 Championship, crushing Malaysia in the final match played at Chang Mai, Thailand, on Tuesday (Dec 23). Nepal routed Malaysia by seven wickets, reaching the 46 run target in just 12 overs. Nepal's Sonu Khadka took three wickets while Rekha Rawal and Keshari Choudhari took 2 wickets each. Invited to bat first after losing toss, Malaysia lost its wickets in 16.2 overs. Nepal remained unbeaten in earlier matches of the tournament, sidelining Bhutan, Singapore, Kuwait and China. "We always knew we had the team to win, we've been playing a long time and have enough confidence in matches," ACC's website www.asiancricket.org quoted Nepal's captain Nary Thapa as saying on her team's victory. "We played very well," reacted Nepal's coach Jameel Ansari. Last year, Nepal had lost to Bangladesh in the ACC U-19 Championship.
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (ICRC) has proposed amendments to the draft legislation prepared by the Nepal government on enforced disappearance of citizens. The ICRC said the parliament should integrate provisions in the bill that will allow all families of those who disappeared in the conflict to apply to the Missing Persons Commission for answers. "The ICRC also encourages the Nepalese authorities to establish mechanisms to resolve the legal problems faced by the families of missing persons and to support them in overcoming their loss. One frequent problem in Nepal is that women cannot inherit the property of the person who has disappeared, since the missing person has not been declared dead," a statement issued by the ICRC said. "The ICRC is willing to assist the Commission and related task forces in their humanitarian activities," the statement quoted Mary Werntz, the head of the ICRC's delegation in Kathmandu, as saying, "In particular, we are ready to share what we know about those who went missing with the Commission and to support the process of recovery and identification of human remains." Saying that draft bill, which was presented to the public on 15 November, is a welcome step in the efforts to find out the fate of those who went missing during the country's ten-year conflict, the international humanitarian groups emphasized that the authorities should do all they can to inform families about relatives who have disappeared. "The ICRC also agrees with statements made by human rights organizations that the bill should be brought in-line with human rights standards." In August 2008, the ICRC published the names of more than 1,200 people who were reported missing from the conflict in an aim to gain public recognition for the families and acknowledgement of their suffering.
