A Voice For the Voiceless

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The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice

Katmandu Protests: 10/28/05

Protestors Strik Against Radio Station Attack in Kathmandu

By The Collective Campaign for Peace

Kathmandu, October 28, 2005-The Joint Movement Coordination Committee (JMCC), comprised of an alliance of seven political parties, called for a general strike in the capital today, in protest against the newly promulgated media ordinance and unlawful attack on Kantipur FM. The JMCC appealed to activists, civil society, professional organizations, human rights defenders, students, journalists, lawyers, business entrepreneurs and intellectuals to show their solidarity.

During the strike six vehicles were vandalized and over 70 were detained from Chabhil, Maitidevi, New Baneshwor, Ason and Mangal Bazar. Protesters vandalized two vehicles belonging to government offices and three private taxis. Those vehicles were playing during the strike.

Meanwhile, the market and commercial places in major parts of the city remained closed. Security forces were mobilized and the city streets were patrolled by armed security forces.

During this time, protestors were joined by journalists in an organized rally. The rally was led by political leaders, senior journalists, senior lawyers, and civil society leaders. Protestors were chanting slogans against the royal regime and demanding for democracy and free press. By the end, the rally was converted into a mass meeting. The mass meeting was led by Suprabha Gimire, the central committee member of the Nepali Congress, Rajendra Shrestha, central committee member of the UML, and Dr Devendra Raj Panday from civil society.

-COCAP Human Rights Monitoring Team