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UNESCO chief voices concern over attacks on democracy in Nepal

UNESCO chief voices concern over attacks on democracy in Nepal

UNESCO head Koïchiro Matsuura
Joining a chorus of United Nations officials calling for action to stem violence in Nepal, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today voiced concern about the increasing attacks against democracy and freedom of expression in the country.

Joining a chorus of United Nations officials calling for action to stem violence in Nepal, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today voiced concern about the increasing attacks against democracy and freedom of expression in the country.

“The announcements that more than fifty journalists and publishers have been attacked, beaten up and arrested by the Nepalese Army and the Armed Police Forces represent attacks on freedom of expression, which UNESCO has a mission to defend,” said Koïchiro Matsuura in a statement released in Paris.

In recent weeks, national and international media as well as human rights organizations and journalists' associations have reported extensively on how media professionals all over Nepal have been harassed and arrested for no other reason than reporting on the ongoing public meetings and demonstrations, according to UNESCO.

The agency recently took part in a visit to the country by the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission, which produced a critical report about the conditions for press freedom in Nepal.

Mr. Matsuura warned that hard-earned democratic progress in the country faces a “serious risk” of being destroyed. He strongly encouraged the authorities in Nepal “to re-establish the conditions for free and independent media in the country.”

The statement by the UNESCO chief echoes similar concerns voiced by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as well as other officials from the world body, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights and a number of humanitarian agencies, calling for a return to stability, protection of human rights, and safe passage for relief aid convoys.