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Issue 9 Vol I, February 15, 2006newsbag Nepal:
Fight for Republic
Credible evidence with the human rights organisations worldwide suggest that a depraved King is becoming desperate and more ruthless, yet the people’s confidence particularly after Maoists who control major areas in the countryside announced their joining hands with seven political parties and accepting multiparty competitive politics under a republican form, has increased. The movement to get rid of feudalism and the king was never so weak. The king is isolated and his defeat seems to be a matter of time. The past year has witnessed rise in insurgency-related violence, stepped-up curtailment of civil liberties, and an increase in the monarchy's isolation, both domestically and internationally. Two of the biggest issues that Nepal is currently struggling with are peace and democracy. The country is now immersed in a battle over the meaning of democracy. The people and the political parties of all hues want an end of aristocracy and the royalty is keen for a guided democracy. Media in the lead The first anniversary of power seizure by Gyanendra was celebrated with street protests in Kathmandu where hundreds of activists were caned and chased away. The security forces arrested over two- dozen journalists and injured a few others during a ‘Black Day’ protest rally over the denial of fundamental rights organized by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in the capital.
Gyanendra has been insisting that his takeover was needed to crush an insurgency that has left more than 13,000 dead since 1996. His unpopularity can be gauged from the fact that the municipal elections have been boycotted as only 15-16 per cent of Kathmandu’ registered electors had voted. The election was designed to strengthen the absolute monarchy and has been a total failure. The Nepalese government and military rule has established a stranglehold on the media, enforcing the closure of radio and television stations, and newspapers across Nepal. And the environment currently being fostered is one of fear, uncertainty and isolation. Government and military threats are on the rise despite continued protests and rallies for free speech and assaults on journalists show no signs of abating. Earlier a report by the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), the mainstream body of media along with the FNJ has identified the main issues that need to be addressed. Restoration of all constitutional clauses regarding freedom of speech, right to know and association and a free Press and an end to misuse of Print and Publication Act et al. Apart from providing safety to the journalists, all kind of harassment that the journalists have been suffering needs to end. The report also stressed on lifting all curbs and censorship on media and an end to interference in the day-to-day functioning of media houses, the owners of private media organizations who were pressurized to curtail editorial freedom. The impact is evident from the fact that thousands of journalists were rendered jobless during the state of emergency. And FM station alone inflicted a loss to the tune of Rs 30 million following the government’s decision where channels were made to telecast only entertainment programmes. South Asia Free Media Association that conducted a study of Nepali media wants withdrawal of all arbitrary orders and instructions so as to allow independent functioning of the press. Revival of official advertisement and subsidies without prejudice to the editorial policy of a media organization is also another key area that needs to be addressed. Obviously, the Royal Nepalese government could not tolerate the solidarity that SAFMA showed for the media community in Nepal. No wonder they have strongly opposed the proposal to recognize SAFMA as Apex Body of SAARC and wants SAFMA to be de-associated with SAARC. All member states of SAARC are eligible to pursue their own policies in their respective countries, thus SAFMA Nepal too has the right to take its decisions making it obligatory for the SAFMA in the region to back up its national chapter. The question now arises is – Whether in order to remain associated with the SAARC and promote regional co-operation, you have to abandon your faith in the universality of fundamental human rights? SAFMA cannot be party to the betrayal of press freedom, denial to fundamental human rights to know, speech and association. Nepal has been in turmoil for many years now but the uprising has now taken a new turn with media and journalists becoming a part of the political movement. While in 2002, it was the crown prince who massacred ten members of the royal family before killing himself, in 2005 citing dissatisfaction with the government's lack of progress in addressing the Maoist insurgency, the present king Gyanendra seized power last February, sacking the government and suspending civil liberties. Fifty-two year Maoist leader Prachanda who has been most media shy recently met media persons from many newspaper organisations in one to one interviews. Many India newspapers and BBC carried detailed interviews. He has made Maoist agenda for Nepal very explicit. Maoists were ready for multiparty competitive politics after the kingship is abolished, a constitution assembly elected to frame a republican constitution. He was prepared to merge his People liberation Army into the reformed Nepal Royal Army under the new democratic regime. Wave of Repression in Year Since Coup Human Rights Watch in its assessment has said, “One year after King Gyanendra unilaterally assumed full executive authority, the human rights situation in Nepal has dramatically spiraled downwards. This New York based organisation has called on the king to return power to an elected civilian government and to resume the role of constitutional monarch assigned to him by the constitution. Since the king's coup on February 1, 2005, government military and security agencies have summarily suspended or ignored civil and political rights, and continued to engage in the practice of "disappearances," marking Nepal as the country with the highest number of cases reported to the United Nations. Security forces arbitrarily arrested over 3,000 political activists, journalists, and students. Conflict- related civilian casualties continued at the same pace as before the coup, with the exception of a four-month ceasefire unilaterally declared by the Maoists that ended on January 2. Security forces killed more than 1,000 people over the last year, including civilians, while Maoists were responsible for at least 600 deaths. The king issued numerous decrees to overcome the constitution or legislation that limited his authority. "While King Gyanendra says he is committed to multi-party democracy and constitutional rule, his actions show that he plans to remain in power," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "It is time for him to step aside and allow the country's political parties and civil society to work to end the crisis." Since the coup, the political and human rights situation in the country has worsened. Reporters Without Borders reported at least 273 cases of arrests of journalists and 569 cases of censorship in 2005 occurred in Nepal—half of the total cases of censorship reported worldwide. On October 9, the king issued a media ordinance banning any news broadcast on radio. In addition, the ordinance affects other forms of media as well. The right of political parties to provide information on their programs during election periods was weakened without explanation. Journalists' licenses can be cancelled summarily and defamation provisions that include harsh criminal penalties have been extended to cover broadcast media. Civil society and its institutions are totally under the control of the King who ruled with the help of repressive army. At times, it is the army that dictates to him, making him a virtual prisoner. This situation cannot last for long and the days of the royalty are indeed numbered. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Sluggish Health Care Worry Canadians EVERY Canadian whether a natural citizen or an immigrant wants Prime Minister Stephen Harper to take care of their number one concern, the quality health care. That’s why Harper has announced quality health care in the form of a patient wait time guarantee. But the depressing fact is that both the Conservatives and Liberals have by and large ignored the challenges facing the stressed heath-care system during the federal election campaign. Both parties certified wait time guarantees for selective treatments and new approach to fight cancer. But there was more emphasis on parliamentary reform, clean government, tax cuts and childcare. That is okay. But it health care that make people worry and sit up and it here along with education that Canada can itself to be very different welfare state. Somewhere that overall sense of urgency to accelerate the pace of renewal is lacking. And this despite the commitment of $79 billion for health care since 2003 made by former Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh and others. Perhaps somewhere the responsibility is not well defined between the states and the federal government. Provinces have responsibility and federal government funds and two at times contrary to the wishes and needs of the people. The system remains very much "a patchwork of provincial, territorial and federal programs and the publicly funded care Canadians receive varies from place to place. Canada's sluggish health reform needs an injection of energy. There is need to track the system and offer guidance. The system is not responding and failing to provide Canadians safe and suitable care and there should be enough investment in prevention and reduce blatant inequalities in health. Prime Minister Harper while claiming a talented and balanced, reflecting national diversity team of 26 Ministers would promote accountable, efficient and effective government has not really spelt his health care plans. Look at his five key priorities: Cleaning up government by enacting and enforcing the Federal Accountability Act; lowering taxes for working Canadians, starting with a reduction to the Goods and Services Tax; Protecting Canadian families and communities by strengthening the justice system; Supporting the child care choices of parents; and Delivering health care Canadians need, when they need it, by establishing a patient wait times guarantee with the provinces. Health comes the last and much needs to done. |
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More for War, Less for Welfare THE new trajectory for the American budget for 2007 spells heaviest ever defence spending, cut on domestic social and health security and on foreign development aid. President George W. Bush has submitted to Congress that Pentagon spending next year would rise to some 440 billion dollars. This does not include 120 billion $ that the administration is asking as a supplemental appropriation to fund U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through September, when fiscal 2006 ends. Bush is calling for 20 percent cut in development aid -- from 1.5 billion dollars to 1.26 billion dollars in development aid and similar cuts in disaster assistance and child-survival and health programmes. Student loans are going to be costlier as well as medical costs. Foreign-aid request will remain the same as last year's, 24 billion $. This is equivalent of what Washington spends in less than five months in Iraq. Out of three components to national security -- diplomacy, defence, and development, development is the weakest now. Some 6.2 billion dollars altogether are earmarked for countries that are considered key strategic allies in the "war on terror. Interestingly, America spent 57 per cent more than it earned from its world markets. This means imports were larger by 57 than exports. America is running up debts to Japan, China and Middle East from where it gets its worst addiction, oil. Nevertheless, it has been exporting war to that region. This borrowed largely goes into building of houses, consumer c goods and to finance the federal budget deficits, which is bound to cross over 350 billion dollars. America’s personal savings rate last year was below zero, lowest since 1933. Remarkably Bush Cheney team denies that there is any crisis. Joseph E Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in economics and professor of economics at Columbia University estimates that the Iraq war was an immense “project”, yet it appears that the analysis of its benefits was greatly flawed and that of its costs virtually absent. Were there alternative ways of spending a fraction of the $1-$2 trillion that would have better strengthened security, boosted prosperity, and promoted democracy? His analysis starts with the $500 billion that the Congressional Budget Office openly talks about, which is still 10 times higher than what the administration said the war would cost. “Its estimate falls so far short because the reported numbers do not even include the full budgetary costs to the government. And the budgetary costs are but a fraction of the costs to the economy as a whole. But such considerations appear to be beyond the Bush administration’s reckoning. Elaborate cost-benefit analyses of major projects have been standard practice in the Defence Department and elsewhere in government for almost a half-century. The Iraq war was an immense “project”, yet it now appears that the analysis of its benefits was greatly flawed and that of its costs virtually absent.” Were there alternative ways of spending a fraction of the war’s $1-$2 trillion in costs that would have better strengthened security, boosted prosperity, and promoted democracy, many Americans are asking daily. |
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Tsunami Victims Cry for JusticeSOME 50,000 tsunami survivors in five Asian countries have been doubly devastated. They lost their loved ones in the December 2004 devastating natural calamity, and subsequently their human rights were trampled upon by their own governments. Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives are accused of discrimination in aid distribution, forced relocation, arbitrary arrests and sexual and gender-based violence. A study by three non-governmental organisations: Action Aid International, People's Movement for Human Rights Learning and Habitat International Coalition. The study was based on 50,000 victims. Once big time players at the international scene including presidents and prime ministers landed at the tragic sites and later the government officials exploited them in variety of ways. The tsunami, which hit a total of 12 countries in Asia and Africa, has been described as one of the world's worst natural disasters. The number of deaths has been estimated at over 250,000, with 2.5 million people either displaced or rendered homeless. These governments "frequently ignored human rights principles and failed to protect survivors from discrimination, land grabbing and violence". In many places, tsunami survivors have been driven from their land, cut off from their livelihoods and denied food, clean water and a secure home. "Whilst much of what governments have done in exceptionally difficult circumstances has been good, this report highlights a culture of failure to deliver to some of the most needy, some of the poorest and some of the people already on the margins of society due to their gender, their race or their ethnicity," says Ramesh Singh, chief executive of Action Aid International. The disaster has provided an opportunity for governments to introduce new statutes and/or reinforce old ones that threaten to take away people's right to their land. 'Buffer zones' have been used to remove people from coastal areas under the guise of safety, thereby jeopardising the livelihoods of those who rely on the sea for a living. Single women, including widows, have not been recognised as a household unit and have frequently been denied compensation. Housing design and layout in particular have been gender-insensitive, affecting women's privacy and security and migrant labourers, landless people, Dalits, and ethnic minorities have all received little support. "Hundreds and thousands of tsunami survivors are still living in virtually uninhabitable shelters. They often lack access to health and other basic services," the report notes. At the same time, "thousands of children have not been able to go back to school, women do not feel secure, people's livelihoods have not been restored, and people are still distressingly uncertain about their future." The international community pledged a total of more than 13.6 billion dollars in assistance. Not even half has reached the hapless people so far. |
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Reuters photographer: Finbarr O’Reilly
Caption: The fingers of a malnourished one-year-old Alassa Galisou are pressed against the lips of his mother Fatou Ousseini at an emergency feeding clinic in the town of Tahoua in northwestern Niger, August 1, 2005. One of Niger's worst droughts in memory destroyed much of the harvest, leaving an estimated 3.6 million short of food, including tens of thousands of starving children.
Finbarr was born in Swansea, Wales in 1971. He is one of few photographers to have started in text journalism before turning to photojournalism. He began his career working as an Arts correspondent in Canada before joining Reuters as a freelance correspondent in Kinshasa, Congo in October 2001. Finbarr now works as Reuters Chief Photographer for West and Central Africa, based in Dakar, Senegal. About Reuters Reuters is the world’s largest international news agency and has been breaking stories for over 150 years. 2,300 staff photographers, journalists and cameramen are based in 197 bureaux serving 130 countries. Reuters photographer Arko Datta won the 2005 World Press Photo of the Year in 2005. |
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SOUTH ASIA POST INC. |
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THE
woes of Nepal are unending. The crisis that gripped this picturesque and yet
poor nation when the royal family including the King was massacred in a
mysterious manner and new King Gyanendra seized total power,
dismissing democratically elected government, the country has seen worst blood
shed. All rights are suspended, radio stations have been closed down and
worst censorship imposed on newspapers. Journalists are arrested, beaten up
and even killed.
The
journalists have bore the brunt of the February 1 coup and have been
threatened, intimidated, abducted, tortured and detained unreasonably and
unlawfully. Despite lifting of the state emergency, the fundamental right
including freedom of expression remained suspended. FM stations were not
permitted to broadcast news and informative programmes despite a series of
protests. Direct censorship crippled the Nepalese media including print,
electronic and online. And whoever dared to publish any news in conflict with
the Royal directives was either arrested or harassed.
REUTERS
photographer Finbarr O’Reilly has been announced international competition in
winner of the prestigious 2006 World Press Photo of the Year for his picture
from the Niger famine in August 2005. 4,448 professional photographers from 122
countries entered a total of 83,044 images. The
contest is the premier annual press photography.
About
Finbarr O’Reilly