Global body calls for press freedom in Nepal

The IFJ said the global press community must apply pressure on Nepal King to respect human rights of detained Nepalese scribes.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Sunday said the global press community must apply pressure on Nepal's King Gyanendra to respect human rights of detained Nepalese scribes even as left parties and university teachers demanded reinstatement of democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.

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"The world's journalism and press freedom community must continue to apply pressure on the Nepal coup leaders to respect the human rights of Taranath Dahal and Bishnu Nishthuri and all other Nepalese journalists," said Christofer Warren, President of IFJ.

He was referring to the President and General Secretary of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNP) detained by the government.

"Taranath Dahal and Bishnu Nishthuri are courageous fighters for press freedom," he said in a statement.

A body of the University teachers, meanwhile, said the Lower House of Parliament (HOR) should be reinstated and a legitimate government formed to restore fundamental rights and individual freedom.

"The direct assumption of executive powers by the King through the Royal Proclamation breached the Nepalese constitution and gave a blow to the achievements of the 1990 People's Movement," Democratic University Teachers Group President Nepal Saubhagya Jung Karki.