NPL 004 / 1108 / OBS 182
Death threats
Nepal
November 5, 2008
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Nepal.
The Observatory has been informed by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) about death threats against Mr. Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Editor of the Kapilvastu Sandesh weekly newspaper and Advisor of Kapilvastu chapter of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ)[1].
According to the information received, on October 11, 2008, the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (Jwala Singh), an armed group of Terai[2], issued life threats against Mr. Krishna Prasad Dhakal. Indeed, Mr. Sikandar, the Army Commander of the JTMM (Jwala Singh) Kapilvastu, called him from a mobile number (98471-33874) and threatened Mr. Dhakal for writing a press article about extortion.
Stating that Mr. Dhakal was “from hilly origin and of ruling class”, Mr. S ikandar warned of killing Mr. Dhakal for “spreading rumours against their movement by mentioning forceful donation drive to voluntary donation given to the group”. Three weeks before, Mr. Dhakal had written an article about forceful donation drive of armed groups in Kapilvastu Sandesh, Annapurna Post national daily and Tilotama Daily.
On October 12, 2008, Mr. Sikandar called Mr. Dhakal again from the same mobile number but Mr. Dhakal did not answer the phone call. Mr. Veshraj Pandey, FNJ District President, answered the call and complained to Mr. Sikandar about the threats issued against Mr. Dhakal. In response, Mr. Sikandar told Mr. Pandey that the threat against Mr. Dhakal was not intentional and will not be repeated . However, he cautioned Mr. Pandey not to write such articles without asking them.
After the incident, Mr. Dhakal has not been able to move freely outside his home due to threats from the group.
The Observatory expresses its deep concern about these threats against Mr. Krishna Prasad Dhakal, and recalls that according to the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998, “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels” (Article 1).
Please write to the Nepalese authorities and ask them to:
Please also write to the diplomatic representations of Nepal in your respective countries.
Geneva - Paris, Novembre 5, 2008
Kindly inform the Observatory of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, a FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of human rights defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.
The Observatory was the winner of the 1998 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line:
Tel and fax: FIDH : +33 (0) 1 43 55 20 11 / 33 (0) 1 43 55 18 80
Tel and fax OMCT : + 41 (0) 22 809 49 39 / + 41 (0) 22 809 49 29
Email : Appeals@fidh-omct.org
[2] Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (Jwala Singh) is an armed group active in Terai region of the country. The group is very active in eastern Terai but has been carrying out violent activities in western Terai as well. The underground group has been involved in abductions, murder, extortion and also spreading terror in the society. Though the group claims itself as a political force, which is fighting for the autonomous v region, but most of its activities are criminal. Reports say the group is conducting its activities from India. During the decade long Maoist insurgency, Maoists used to treat Human Rights Activists and journalists positively but the group treats human rights activists negatively. Initially there was only Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha but the group splintered into various armed outfits and the Jwala Singh faction is one faction among many factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha.
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