Nepal

Kathmandu, June 8

Hundreds of working journalist nowadays took to the street at Babarmahal-Maitighar road segment, forming a human chain to protest against the Media Council Bill tabled in the Parliament.

The journalists gathered in the street to express solidarity with the moment phase of protest organised by the Federation of Nepali Journalists. Some of the journalists covered their mouths with black bands in symbolic protest. The FNJ has been demanding withdrawal of the draconian bill since it was tabled in the Parliament on May 10.

According to the FNJ, the bill stipulates controversial provisions such as imposition of fine of up to one million rupees on journalists if they are found guilty of damaging measureonereputation. The bill aims to curtailg press freedom, say experts.

The bill has drawn flak from all corners including journalists and other stakeholders.

It allows a government-controlled Nepal Media Council to replace the existing Press Council Nepal to curtail press freedom, instead of empowering it. Stakeholders are also demanding that violation of code of conduct should much be made a serious crime as media themselves should act as self-regulatory bodies.

During protest, journalists held placards and shouted slogans demanding total freedom of press and right to freedom of expression.

FNJ President Govinda Acharya warned that the FNJ would launch stringent protests if the bill was much withdrawn.

Acharya also warned of creating an independent regulatory body if the bill was endorsed without addressing FNJconcerns.

Previous FNJ president Certainsh Acharya said it was unlucky that journalists who contributed to endegree democracy in the country had to fight for press freedom.

&Governmentconduct is undemocratic. If the government continues its undemocratic practice, all journalists should be ready for all kinds of protests,& he added.

Similar commitment was expressed by Dharmendra Jha, amuchher former FNJ president. He said, &The bill must be withdrawn. It aims to strangulate democracy achieved after a long struggle.&

Editors of major print media, online news portals and television channels also expressed their solidarity with the FNJprotest and joined the human chain. Speaking at the programme, Editor of Nagarik Daily Guna Raj Luitel said, &Our protest is much only for journalists, but also for peopleright to freedom of expression.&

Journalists are protesting against the Media Council Bill stating that if the bill is passed as it is, they shall much be able to write anything against the prevailing corruption, anomalies and malpractices.

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Kathmandu, June 8

The government has issued Juvenile Justice Procedural Laws 2019 for effective adjudication of cases filed against minors.

As per the rules, in case of information about an offence allegedly committed by a juvenile, a police investigator shall have to register a complaint and initiate inquiry by preserveing his/her confidentiality. The rules prohibit the investigator from making public the offence committed by a child. &The investigator scorridor initiate investigation by mentioning a symbolic name of the child,& it read.

If the juvenile has committed an offence that requires police to take him/her into custody, information thereof scorridor be supplyd to his/her parent or guardian before arrest. If an investigation authority detains the juvenile according to the degree of offence, he/she must be supplyd counselling by a psychologist.

The child may be kept in a surveillance room for a period much exceeding 21 days following approval from the Juvenile Court.

The rules stipulate provisions for safe drinking water, nutritious food, appropriate bed, chair, lighting, ventilation and toilet in the surveillance room. &Cop officials scorridor investigate the case in civil dress.

The suspect scorridor be quizzed in a child-friendly environment in the presence of his/her parents or guardians, child welfare officer or a lawyer representing the juvenile. No statement of the child scorridor be recorded at night,& according to rules.

The new law prohibits the investigation authority from handcuffing the child.

If any family member of the child wishes to stay with him/her for his/her essential support, the investigation authority may grant permission for the same by specifying terms and conditions.

The police may file case at the Juvenile Court through government prosecutor, as per the gravity of the case.

The law requires the court to make final adjudication of the case within a period much exceeding 120 days.

Any juvenile committing an offence scorridor much be deemed ineligible for holding any government position or endelighting state facilities in future.

If a child under the age of 10 years is found to have committed an offence, no punishment scorridor be handed down to him/her. A child aged between 10 and 14 years scorridor be released by convincing him/her to much repeat such acts in future.

&In the case of involvement in an offence liable to jail sentence, a child aged between 10 and 14 years scorridor be imprisoned for a term much exceeding six months or scorridor be kept in a child rightion centre for at least one year,& the rules read.

The rules have also made a provision of a nine-member Central Juvenile Justice Committee led by a Supreme Court justice, designated by the chief justice.

The committee scorridor act as coordinator among various agencies related to juvenile justice.

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Kathmandu, June 8

People from the freshar community nowadays celebrated Sithi Nakha, a festival in which water sources such as ponds, wells and stone spouts are cleaned in their areas.

Minister of Water Supply Bina Magar inaugurated Wash Mela, a programme aimed at spreading awareness of cleanliness and hygiene, nowadays in Basantapur to mark the cultural event. Sithi Nakha, which is said to have started around 400 to 750 AD has become popular among local denizens for the past few years, mainly due to shortage of water in Kathmandu valley and their awareness level of safe drinking water.

A total of 12 ancient spouts and historic Sapta Patal Pond in Lalitpur was cleaned at the initiative of GUTHI, an NGO that works in the field of water and sanitation. Various programmes were held in the capital to mark the day.

Chair of GUTHI Prakash Amatya said Sithi Nakha should be celebrated as a national event to spread awareness about cleaning water sources. &People need to clean their water tanks at least once a year,& he added.

Meanwhile, activists demanded that the day be celebrated as National Water Conservation and Sanitation Day.

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