Media group says Nepal arrests most journalists
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-17 15:21

Nepal arrested more journalists than any other country since 2004, many during pro-democracy protests, an international media watchdog said while urging the royalist government to free seven still in detention.

Nepali soldiers march down a street in the town of Dang, heartland of Maoist insurgents, in western Nepal, February 11, 2006. [Reuters]

The Paris-based group, Reporters Without Borders (RWB), said in a statement received on Friday that at least 114 journalists were arrested while doing their job or taking part in pro-democracy protests from January 20.

"Nepal has, since 2004, arrested more journalists than any other country worldwide," it said.

It said while most of those arrested or detained had been freed, seven journalists were still being held.

"Whether they were arrested for their articles or for demonstrating for press freedom, their detention is abusive," the group said.

Nepali authorities do not comment on the arrests or detentions or provide reasons for picking up journalists.

In February 2005, King Gyanendra sacked the multi-party government and suspended civil rights and media freedom, justifying his move as vital to quell an anti-monarchy Maoist insurgency.

More than 13,000 people have died in the 10-year-old revolt that has shattered Nepal's aid-and-tourist dependent economy.