Blogging the democratic revolution
Since the emergency can only constitutionally last for three months though, it’s kind of by default. KATHMANDU, April 30 (Reuters) – Nepal’s king ended a state of emergency two days early, the Palace said on Saturday, but the sudden midnight proclamation does not reduce extraordinary powers he seized in February’s royal coup. Politicians said it…
The government is still clamping down in Nepal, arresting over 500 protestors in light of planned pro-democracy rallies of several thousand. KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepali soldiers killed at least 50 Maoist rebels in a deadly overnight clash, the army said on Friday, as around 500 political activists were reported arrested by police during pro-democracy rallies…
The monarchy’s coup in Nepal continues, with demonstrators being arrested. Police in Nepal have arrested at least 120 anti-government activists across the country who defied a ban on protests to show their anger at King Gyanendra’s seizure of absolute power last month. In the capital, Kathmandu, police detained more than 40 protesters who gathered near…
“Kathmandu” from Radio Free Nepal is updating on the situation there. Things are still looking bad, but the U.S. and India are working to restore democracy as soon as possible. In another encouraging note, USA and India have told they are coordinating for early restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal. Visiting US secretary of State…
While the opposition has attempted to step up protests against the monarch, he has been relentless in cracking down. Some pictures are posted at Radio Free Nepal that I’ll reproduce here.
That’s the title of a new report by Amnesty International concerning Nepal. The government of Nepal should restore fundamental human rights, open a peace process based on justice and respect for human rights, protect human rights defenders and end the impunity of the security forces. The Maoists should commit themselves to respect international human rights…
Reporters Without Borders has the report: Reporters Without Borders has renewed an appeal for the release of 11 journalists currently being held in prisons in Nepal. Six of those being held were among at least 16 journalists security forces picked up after King Gyanendra seized power on 1 February and declared a state of emergency….
Virtually one of the only good sources of news that I can find, Radio Free Nepal has a roundup of the latest stories coming out of the country. And pictures. And the emergence of yet another Nepali blogger! I think we will start to see more and more of these as the crisis goes on….
I have been telling you all about Radio Free Nepal the past few days, and they have been an invaluable source of information. And like any good source of information, they have pictures: Arrests made during the democracy protest earlier. It is so hard to get a good idea of what is going on in…
Courtesy: RFN Radio Free Nepal has a roundup of news out of the country for today. The King has, again, cut the lines of communication, though it seems that service is coming back sporadically. The protests for Democracy Day have also been thwarted. The situation doesn’t look to be getting better soon.
Radio Free Nepal has a piece up regarding the tactics that news publications are using to get the word out. After a fortnight of the Royal Coup, I would like to comment on the media and their ???????bravery???????? in publishing or not publishing about the coup. Himal, a fortnightly newsmagazine that never failed to criticize…
Illegally blogging from his home country, the new Radio Free Nepal blog is doing news roundups and commentary on the situation there. Definitely one of the few sources of information available from there!
The front page news isn’t bringing it to you, but Transition Trends is: The recall of US, UK, French and Indian ambassadors from Kathmandu yesterday was a very welcome sign of co-ordinated international action to protest the royal coup there on 1 February. It’s especially welcome from the US, which seemed less than engaged on…
Transitions Trends posts statements by the State Department that makes them look like they just don’t care. From the State Department: I don’t have anything new to say about Nepal from what we’ve said previously, which is, obviously, that the actions of the King, in summarily dismissing the government and declaring a state of emergency…
SFGate put together a timeline of events for Nepal over the past 4 years, and The Independent put together a little biography of King Gyanendra. It gives you a pretty good idea of where this country has come from. UPDATE: Transition Trends has some detailed followup as well. Now, disturbing reports are leaking out of…
The Asia Centre for Human Rights has this overview of the situation in Nepal since yesterday. Here’s its suggestions: International community must act more decisively and swiftly, NOW, by freezing all assistance including military assistance to Nepal unless His Majesty King Gyanendra: – Lifts emergency and restores all democratic freedoms and institutions including the immediate…
I was taking a nap and woke up to images on the television of people rioting in the streets; behind the broadcaster’s words that “King Gyanendra of Nepal has just sacked the democratic government for failing to hold parliamentary elections and fight rebels.” Maybe it’s just years of training my fine intuition, but that just…