Nepal's King Cracks Down on Politics and News Media

[Rose Siding]

snip>
Nepalis now have no freedom of assembly, expression or opinion; no right to information, property or privacy; and no protection from preventive detention. The government has banned any criticism of the king's action for six months, and any public comment that could affect the morale of the security agencies.
...
Soldiers have been pulled back from newspaper offices, but only because editors have "assured us there would be self-censorship," said Brig. Gen. Dipak K. Gurung, the spokesman for the Royal Nepal Army. They did so with some encouragement: the king's press secretary told some editors last week that he would not be able to help if the military decided to "disappear" them for a few hours, according to one editor who spoke on condition of anonymity.

All of that is necessary, General Gurung said, to stop the publication and broadcasting of Maoist announcements and propaganda, and reports that sap the army's morale.

"In the name of democracy, in the name of freedom, they really got out of control," he said of the news media. "If they are cooperating," he said, referring to the editors, "there's no reason they should be afraid."

http://nytimes.com/2005/02/08/international/asia/08nepal.html

[bemildred]

1. More on the king:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=116x9046

2. here in Kathmandu

life goes on pretty much as normal. After a week, the internet is back -- hoorah!

Most "average" Nepalis think the King's move is a good thing -- from their perspective, life couldn't get any worse. You only worry about human rights if you have the luxury of enough food, kerosene for cooking, etc.

On the other hand, the Maoist "conflict" is getting worse outside the Kathmandu Valley... sad times for Shangri-la, still my favorite place to live.

3. forgot to mention parallels to America

When the King first announced his royal coup and ALL communications were shut down I immediately thought of the discussions I've read here on DU about "what if" the Internet is shut down in the US. It was a very strange feeling to be so completely out of contact, not just with my children's school but with my family in America and like-minded friends -- Nepali and expat -- who might be in danger for all I knew.

There are many rumors that human rights activists, along with political honchos, have been rounded up by the army. Hard to have imagined 2 weeks ago, even here in Nepal. Everything I write, even here on DU, and say on the phone may be being read/listened to... is this what's in store for America?

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Wow, thanks for the inside story

sounds like a pretty crazy time over there. I hope things work out for the best.

[David__77]

5. I'm sorry fascism has come to Nepal.

The king has placed himself in the company of Suharto and Pinochet and will now fall from power and meet a most terrible end. The UML would rather join the rebels in the countryside than stand with fascism. I hope that the Maoists now restrain their attacks to the forces of the fascist state and that the people unite as one to topple the monarchy once and for all!