IPI Public Statements

1 Journalist was
killed in 2009

This Country is currently
on the IPI Watch List

Nepal Grants Compensation to Journalist for Detention and Torture

12 February 2009

PRESS RELEASE

More than six years after her detention and torture, Nepalese journalist Meena Sharma Tiwari has been granted compensation of 15,000 Nepalese rupees (150 euros) by the Appellate Court.

Tiwari is the fourth Nepalese journalist to receive compensation in connection with detention and mistreatment by the authorities.

"IPI welcomes the judgment as an important sign of Nepal�s respect for the rule of law", said IPI Director David Dadge. "It is an important sign that Nepal is developing the democratic institutions capable of looking back into the past and providing compensation for the victims of detention and torture".

In awarding the money under the Act Related to Torture and Compensation, the Appellate Court on 10 February ruled that Tiwari was illegally detained and tortured by the security forces.

Tiwari is the editor of the Ekybaddata (Solidarity) magazine. She was arrested without charges on 24 May 2002, together with assistant editor Binod Tiwari, reportedly because the authorities considered Ekybaddata too critical of the government and supportive of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). She was released on 5 November 2002, and Binod Tiwari was released on 5 September 2002.

Nepal�s Press Freedom Grand Jury established claims for compensation to Tiwari as well as 18 other journalists and two human rights activists detained by the authorities during the period of emergency.

The Press Freedom Grand Jury was set up in 2002 at the initiative of the IPI Nepal National Committee and other journalists� organisations, following the advice of an international IPI mission, which travelled to Nepal in reaction to the numerous attacks against journalists.

A state of emergency imposed between November 2001 and August 2002 had a devastating impact on news media, as it led to attacks, detentions, mistreatment, and murder of journalists. At least seven journalists were reported missing during this period. Some were released following successful habeas corpus writs, but at least one was found dead.

>> IPI World Press Freedom Review 2008 - Report on Nepal

# # #

For more information, contact:

Timothy Spence
Press and Communications Manager
Tel: +43 1 512 90 11
E-mail: tspence(at)freemedia.at
http://www.freemedia.at�

Read Country Reports on 'Nepal':

2008 World Press Freedom Review
2007 World Press Freedom Review
2006 World Press Freedom Review
2005 World Press Freedom Review
2004 World Press Freedom Review
2003 World Press Freedom Review
2002 World Press Freedom Review
2001 World Press Freedom Review
2000 World Press Freedom Review
1999 World Press Freedom Review
1998 World Press Freedom Review

'Nepal' is on the IPI Watch List!

>> read more

Journalists killed in 'Nepal':

2009 (1)
2008 (2)
2007 (1)
2005 (2)
2004 (3)
2003 (3)
2002 (3)

IPI provides links to other Internet sites only for the convenience of its visitors. IPI is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites, nor does IPI endorse, guarantee or warrant the information, services or products available at these sites.

IPI MEMBERS LOGIN