PRESS RELEASE
April 05, 2005, New York, USA
We, the Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA (NDYCUSA), the Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal, and the United Democratic Forum, are deeply concerned about the brutal and merciless means resorted by King Gynendra’s authoritarian government to suppress the Seven Party Alliance’s peaceful demonstration scheduled for April 6-9 in Kathmadu (the capital city). We strongly condemn the arrests and harassments of political party leaders, cadres and civil society members.
Once again, by restricting free movement of people within their own country, declaring curfew, imposing ban on public gatherings, arresting and manhandling the protesters, the king’s government has revealed its true character and its intention to consolidate the king’s tyrannical and brutal regime. It is regrettable to hear that the government has prevented even the ambulances from going to Kathmandu fearing that people may come to Kathmandu to participate in the demonstration against the king’s rule.
We believe that these actions of brutal suppression reflect the defeated mentality of the king and his handpicked government. We strongly support the Seven Party Alliance and civil society’s ongoing movement for full democracy in Nepal. We will continue our support to the ongoing movement and we especially urge the political parties, civil society and other democratic forces to make a planned demonstration decisive one.
We strongly urge the immediate and unconditional release of all detained political leaders and activists and warn the government to respect people’s fundamental rights including the rights of peaceful assembly. If not, we also warn that if the government continues its violations of fundamental rights, it will have to bear the responsibility for the consequences of its actions to quell down the peaceful demonstration for full democracy. The history shows that those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. The human right violators, such as President Miloshevic of former Yogoslavia or President Taylor of Liberia, have been ultimately brought to justice regardless of how powerful they thought they were in their times.
Finally, we thank the US government and others for their strong condemnation of human rights violations by the royal regime in Nepal. We urge the US government and the international community to exert strong pressure including smart sanctions on the government of Nepal in order to make the king’s government to respect civil and constitutional rights of Nepalese people.
Sincerely,
Anand Bist (President)
Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA
Sanjaya Parajuli (President)
Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal
Tek Gurung (President)
United Democratic Forum