Nepal
Wednesday 16.6.2021 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Critics and media face harassment amid political and COVID-19 crisis in Nepal
In recent months, a political activist was detained for her criticism of the President, while journalists have been targeted for their reporting. New directives have been proposed under the Electronic Transaction Act to police social media. The authorities have also restricted protests and arrested protesters. Read more
Friday 5.2.2021 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Protests disrupted by police, met with excessive force in Nepal as UN reviews its rights record
In recent months, mass protests against the decision by the prime minister K.P. Oli to dissolve parliament have been met with restrictions, arbitrary arrests and excessive force by the police. Threats and attacks against journalists have persisted and a new study shows that over-broad, vague and subjective laws are being used to censor or criminalise freedom of expression. Read more
Wednesday 21.10.2020 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Despite re-election to Human Rights Council, civic space concerns persist in Nepal
In recent months, there have been further attempts by the authorities to impose new restrictions on the internet and the media. Civil society has raised concerns at the judicial harassment of a journalist and the death of another senior journalist. There have been protests by Dalits against the discrimination and violence they face and against Chinese encroachment. There were allegations of ill-treatment of a health activist, while the Chepang Indigenous peoples are facing eviction. Read more
Friday 3.7.2020 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Protests in Nepal around COVID-19 met with excessive force while journalists face attacks
Protests expressing discontent with the COVID-19 response have been met with excessive force and arrests. There have also been ongoing threats and attacks against journalists in Nepal for their reporting on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Online critics have also been targeted for defamation using the Electronic Transaction Act. A proposed Intelligence Bill gives the national intelligence agency unlimited surveillance and search powers. Read more
Monday 23.3.2020 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Activists concerned about plans for new NGO law and other restrictive legislation in Nepal
A number of laws being proposed in Nepal are raising concerns among civil society groups. In November 2019, there were reports of a new NGO law being drafted that could weaken civil society. The authorities are planning to bar NGOs running programmes opposed by China and India. The government is continuing to push through an Information Technology bill and a Media Council bill that could be used to silence dissent and muzzle the press. China has attempted to silence the Kathmandu Post for publishing an article critical of the country. Read more
Wednesday 16.10.2019 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Restrictive bills still being pushed by Nepali lawmakers as protests around Xi’s visit stifled
In recent months, the Nepal government has continued push several pieces of draft legislation that threaten to undermine the right to freedom of expression, including the Media Council Bill and the Information Technology Bill. Journalists continue to face attacks and threats for their reporting while protests against China have been suppressed. Read more
Thursday 30.5.2019 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Nepal attempts to tighten its grip on journalists and social media with new bills
In recent months, journalists have continued to be investigated and threatened for their reporting. In February 2019, a new Information Technology bill was introduced that threatens freedom of opinion and expression on social media while in May 2019 the government introduced a Media Council bill that could undermine press freedom in the country. Amendments to the National Human Rights Commission Act, proposed in April 2019 could weaken its role in ensuring justice for victims of human rights violations. Read more
Wednesday 27.2.2019 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Nepali government muzzling critical voices and introducing new restrictive laws
A popular Nepali folk singer was forced to remove a satirical song on corruption from YouTube after the youth wing of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) allegedly threatened him. In February 2019, Nepal's government tabled draft legislation that would impose harsh sanctions for "improper" social media posts, igniting concerns it could be used to suppress freedom of speech and stifle dissent. Read more
Tuesday 16.10.2018 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Press freedom at risk with new Criminal Code restrictions
In August 2018, Nepal’s new Criminal Codes Act came into effect. Human rights and media organization have raised serious about the new law and its impact on press freedom in Nepal. Read more
Tuesday 3.7.2018 Nepal - Latest Developments -
Journalists attacked and threatened
Journalist Dinesh Giri was attacked by three people on 2nd June 2018 over a news report about an illegal business in Belbari, Morang in eastern Nepal. In a separate incident, the NGO Freedom Forum reported that journalists Rajesh Bhandari and Madan Babu Bhandari were issued a death threat by a police officer for reporting about his alleged connection with gold smuggling in Kathmandu on 25th March 2018. Read more
