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Govt refutes UNHCR statement on freedom of expression

Acharya123himal June 5, 2020

Govt refutes UNHCR statement on freedom of expression

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KATHMANDU, JUNE 4

The Government of Nepal mentioned its consideration had been drawn to a press assertion launched by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights yesterday on freedom of expression in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein a quick reference was made about Nepal.

Issuing a press launch right this moment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned the reference within the assertion didn’t replicate the details and actuality of press freedom in Nepal.

“The structure ensures full press freedom and likewise ensures efficient judicial treatments in opposition to any sort of infringement.

The Government of Nepal stays totally dedicated to guard the elemental rights and freedoms enshrined within the structure.”

The MoFA additionally acknowledged that the federal government’s features have been guided by the structure and legislation of the land. “The Government of Nepal and its Permanent Mission in Geneva stand able to cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in substantiating the details and data earlier than they’re launched,” learn the MoFa launch.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet had expressed alarm on the clampdown on freedom of expression in components of the Asia-Pacific, together with Nepal, in the course of the COVID-19 disaster, saying any motion taken to cease the unfold of false info should be proportionate.

In the assertion, Bachelet mentioned arrests for expressing discontent or allegedly spreading false info via the press and social media have been reported in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

“In Nepal, authorities have used a stringent cyber-crime legislation to arrest a retired bureaucrat who was vital of the federal government together with its Covid-19 response.

According to press freedom teams, there have been a number of circumstances of journalists detained whereas protecting COVID-related information, incidents of journalists going through obstruction from authorities and reviews of threats and bodily assaults in opposition to journalists,” she mentioned within the assertion.