H.E. Sher Bahadur Deuba
Prime Minister
Kathmandu
Nepal
Vienna, 28 June 2002
Your Excellency,
The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, strongly condemns the killing – apparently in jail after being tortured – of journalist Krishna Sen.
According to IPI’s sources, Mr. Sen, editor of the pro-Maoist newspaper Janadisha, died in custody last week at an undisclosed security forces detention centre. Mr. Sen’s body was handed over to his family for cremation, but the authorities did not supply any information on the circumstances of his death. Some reports suggest that he was tortured to make him confess his ties to the Maoist movement.
Mr. Sen was reportedly in good health before his arrest on 20 May. He had been released on 15 March 2001, after more than two years in detention, following a Supreme Court ruling. The authorities had accused him of publishing an interview with rebel leader Baburam Bhattarai.
IPI urges Your Excellency to do everything in your power to ensure an immediate an thorough investigation into Mr. Sen’s death and that those responsible are brought to justice. We further urge you to do everything possible to halt torture by security forces and to promote conditions in which journalists are able to carry out their profession without fear of harassment, intimidation or violence.
We thank you for your attention.
Yours sincerely,
Johann P. Fritz
Director