FNJ, NBA to observe Feb 1 as ‘black day’

Two prominent professional organizations – the Federation of Nepalese
Journalists (FNJ), the umbrella organization of Nepalese journalists and
the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) – have announced to observe February 1 as
‘black day’.

Organising a press meet in Kathmandu today, FNJ officials said a national
conference has been planned in the capital followed by a demonstration at
New Road, a restricted area, in protest against the government curb on the
independent press. Journalists from different parts of the country, who
have faced arrests and torture form the state, are also scheduled to
participate in the conference, they informed.

The FNJ also asked its branch offices in the districts to organise
programs to mark February 1 as ‘black day’.

Speaking at the press meet, FNJ president Bishnu Nisthuri said that as
press freedom is related to political freedom it should not be isolated
from the ongoing movement for democracy.

On February 1 last year, King Gyanendra sacked a four-party government led
by Sher Bahadur Deuba and assumed direct power. Restriction on political
rights and press freedom has been tightened since then.

Meanwhile, the NBA, the umbrella organization of Nepalese law
professionals, today announced to mark February 1 as ‘black day’, saying
that people’s rights and the rule of law deteriorated in the country after
the February 1 royal move.

Issuing a statement, the NBA directed its 81 units around the country to
organise programs as part of marking February 1 as ‘black day’.
nepalnews.com mk Jan 29 06