A Voice For the Voiceless

MISSION

The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice

Bulletin #6: Update from the NDD

(On February 5, 2005, dozens of pro-democracy activists in Kathmandu started an e-update to inform the world about the crisis in Nepal following the imposition of military rule by King Gyanendra on February 1, 2005)

Prominent Human Rights leader Krishna Pahadi arrested from office at 3:15 p.m., 9 February; Washington Post journalist witnesses the arrest

Prominent human rights leader of Nepal and former President of Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES), Krishna Pahadi, was arrested from his office at Kalikasthan, Kathmandu at 3:15 pm, today, 9 February 2005. According to Purushottam Dahal, the President of HURPES, about five policemen in plainclothes, led by an inspector, entered the HURPES office at 3:15 p.m. One of them said that Krishna Pahadi had to report to the traffic police! Then, they grabbed him, took him away from the office and put him in a police van waiting outside the HURPES office building.

Purushottam Dahal and another office staff Jaya Ram Basnet witnessed first hand the arrest. Incidentally, the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Washington Post, John Lancaster, had just arrived at the HURPES office during the time the arrest was taking place. According to Purushottam Dahal, John Lancaster asked the policemen whether they had any arrest warrant, to which the policemen replied they did not. He then asked for what reason Pahadi was arrested, but the policemen did not give any reason.

The whereabouts of Krishna Pahadi is not known. In the past few days, Pahadi had been coordinating the meetings among human rights and professional organizations to plan protest programs against the king's military coup. The human rights organizations have said that the scheduled protest program tomorrow afternoon, 10 February 2005, at Putalisadak will go ahead as planned. 

Another Human Rights Activist Arrested

Sukram Maharjan, member of Human Rights Organization of Nepal (HURON), Kirtipur Chapter, was arrested by plainclothes security personnel on February 8, 2005 at 10.30 at night from his residence. His whereabouts are not known.

Nepali Congress activists organized a surprise protest rally in Kathmandu

Over 100 activists of Nepali Congress organized a surprise protest rally on 8 February 2005 at 3:00 pm yesterday, 8 February 2005, from News Road, Kathmandu. They had tipped off the police that they were starting the protest program from another venue, Indrachowk, at 2:00 pm. There was a heavy presence of the armed police force as well as government vigilante at Indrachowk, waiting for the demonstrations. The activists, instead gathered at News Road as pre-planned with black banners and shouted anti-monarchy and pro-democracy slogans. The protest took place for about 10 minutes after which the protestors dispersed. This protest was organized as per the decision of the second underground meeting of the central committee of Nepali Congress held in Kathmandu after 1 February 2005.

NHRC team denied access to leaders under house arrest

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team, led by one of the Commissioners, Gaurishankar Lal Das, has been denied access to political leaders under house arrest today.

Follow-up meeting held at HURPES for 10 February demonstrations

A preparatory meeting was organized at Human Rights and Peace Society's Kathmandu office at Kalikasthan this morning. Representatives of 25 human rights organizations attended the meeting.

Newspapers forced to print king's speech

Reportedly, all the newspaper houses have been pressurized by the security forces to publish king's speech. For instance, at Jan Ekata weekly, close to Jan Morcha Nepal, security persons categorically told the editing desk that they would not allow any publication unless they publish the king's speech. Jan Ekata team have decided not to publish their paper as long as the security sources continue to censor their activities.

NSU and ANNFSU central committee meet

BBC Nepali Service yesterday confirmed that the Nepal Students Union (NSU), a Nepali-Congress affiliated student group, has been able to organize their central committee meeting, despite severe vigilance by the security forces throughout the city in Kathmandu. Similarly, All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), a student group affiliated with Communist Party of Nepal—Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), was also able to hold its central committee meeting in an undisclosed location. Both the groups have decided to increase dialogue among different groups and decide on a common program for the restoration of full popular sovereignty and democracy in Nepal.

Meanwhile several more student leaders are reported to have been arrested from different places in Kathmandu. Bijaya Rai, president of Tribhuvan University's Central Campus Union was arrested by security forces from in front of this house on 7 February 2005. Two other student leaders were picked up by security forces from inside the Central Library of Tribhuvan University on 8 February 2005. The whereabouts of these student leaders are not known.

Political leaders continue to meet in Indian border towns

As the security forces intensified their repression in Kathmandu and major towns of Nepal, the leaders located in different parts of the country, especially in the terai towns, have reportedly crossed border into India. For instance, according to a reliable source, a meeting of Nepali Congress Parsa district committee was held near Raxaul, an Indian town across Birgunj. Many other meetings in other places also have been reported. Binay Dhoj Chand, central level leader of Nepali Congress is now in Uttaranchal, the neighboring Indian state, to organize solidarity for pro-democracy movement in Nepal.

Solidarity for Democracy in India

Many friends in India have provided support to efforts in movements for democracy in Nepal. Some Individuals have provided resources to fund for an office, three flats and regular activities in Delhi. Similar efforts are being made in other parts of India to mobilize support for democracy in Nepal. The Nepal Democracy Desk in Delhi, India is now fully active and will soon join hand with Nepal Democracy Desk in Kathmandu more systematically.

India reportedly to appoint a Special Envoy for Nepal

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Government of India is reportedly appointing a Special Envoy for Nepal to deal with Nepal's political crisis.

UK and US ambassadors to Nepal reportedly met the king

The US and the UK Ambassadors to Nepal reportedly met the king for the first time after 1 February 2005. They reportedly conveyed in private the messages made public by their governments, which have disapproved of the royal takeover. Reportedly, none of the heads of diplomatic missions in Nepal, who tried to visit the political leaders under house arrest were given permission to do so.

International media continues its intense gaze on Nepal

Los Angeles Times had an editorial on February 8, 2005 asking Bush to put necessary pressure on king Gyanendra to restore democracy immediately. Indian newspapers have continued to provide space for debate on Nepal in editorials and news, which have been extensively critical of the royal coup.

Security personnel taking over college and campuses

First it were media houses. Now they are the schools and campuses of Nepal which have been besieged by khaki-clad security forces controlling the entrance and exit from the premises. The security forces check identity cards of those wanting to get into the college premises and those without identity cards are denied entrance. This is a move to trace politically active students.

INSN is the International Nepal Solidarity Network, which has activists in over a dozen countries around the world who are working to bring democracy to Nepal. Visit their website for regular updates related to the Nepal crisis.