FEBRUARY 23, 2009 The Inter-Parliamentary Union British Group’s delegation was compelled to hold press meet outside the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) terminal building in the capital on February 20, Friday after journalists denied to enter the VVIP room citing that Deputy Superintendant of Police (DSP) Bikash Raj Khanal stationed at the airport misbehaved with them.
The team of five British parliamentarians flew back to Britain in the same day after wrapping up their five-day visit to Nepal. The high-level delegation met with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal and Constituent Assembly members, among others. They held discussion on the matters related to constitution-drafting, peace process and strengthening democracy in Nepal.
Freedom Forum strongly deplores the misbehaviour meted out against journalists and British delegation by responsible police office.
It is the sheer violation of journalists’ rights to collect and disseminate news and insult to foreign delegation in our country. The Forum asks the government to take actions against the police officers involved on showing such mediocrity to respected foreign guests and journalists who are considered to be the watchdog of all wrongdoings.
It is quite condemnable and hypo critic attitude shown by the police that spreads bad message across the world; the government should beg apology and prevent such ill treatment to our guests and journalists, said Forum Chairperson Taranath Dahal.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022