A Year Later: Nepal will get isolated, warns IFJ

Nepal stands on the brink of "becoming an isolated pariah state" unless it urgently restores democratic rule, freedom of expression and respects the rights of journalists.

ENGENDERED: Riot police officers detain a pro-democracy activist during a demonstration on the anniversary of King Gyanendra's absolute rule in Katmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006. Nepal's king announced Wednesday he would allow parliamentary elections within 15 months and claimed success in fighting the country's communist rebels, even as army officials said insurgents killed at least 20 troops overnight. (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)

Launching a detailed report on the cost to press freedom since King Gyanendra established autocratic rule a year ago, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) general secretary, Aidan White said that the international community was running out of patience with the king's abandonment of democracy.

"Nepal is fast becoming an isolated pariah state, unwelcome at the table where democratic nations meet," White said. "The king must get the message that dictatorship and pantomime attempts to hold so-called elections are no substitute for respecting human rights and democracy." He was addressing a mass meeting of editors and journalists under the umbrella of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in capital Kathmandu on the anniversary of the king's seizure of power.

The IFJ report �Nepal One Year On: Censorship, Crackdown and Courage � gives a detailed account of arrests, detentions and acts of censorship that have blighted Nepali media since February 1, last year.

The IFJ says that efforts to hold municipal elections are a "shambolic attempt" to give the impression that some notion of democracy still exists in the country. "The routine arrest and detention of human rights activists and journalists and the widespread denial of rights kills any confidence people may have in this faltering process," White said. "What is needed is a full return to democracy and no half-hearted measures."

SHUTTER BUGGED: A Nepalese opposition activist is beaten up by riot policemen charging on opposition activists during a protest in Kathmandu. Nepal's King Gyanendra marked the first anniversary of his seizure of power with a promise to push ahead with controversial local elections, as thousands of Maoist rebels launched attacks which killed at least 15 people.(AFP/Emmanuel Dunand)

He said that the only way to bring about a peaceful resolution to the current conflict with Maoists engaged in a violent campaign in the country, was to promote dialogue and open debate. "Secrecy, censorship and intimidation do not lead to peace;" he said. "They only create more fear, ignorance and insecurity." White also met ambassadors and ministers, and insisted that the global support for journalists and other human rights defenders would continue until the king ended his policy of one-man rule.

The IFJ praised the unity and solidarity expressed by journalists, editors and other media staff in recent months. "You have provided a magnificent model of solidarity and leadership in the face of powerful and ruthless forces. Journalists around the world are inspired by this commitment and we will continue to provide support until you succeed in bringing democracy back to life in Nepal," said White.