Nepal: monarchist protest rocks Kathmandu
A clash between thousands of monarchist protestors and police took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, Nov.23. Police used tear-gas and water cannons to disperse protestors who chanted slogans in support of the former king, Gyanendra Shah, and attempted to storm a barricade protecting government offices. Monarchist leader and prominent businessman Durga Prasai has allegedly been under house arrest since the protest, and his followers have filed a habeas corpus petition with the Supreme Court for his release.
The monarchy was abolished in 2008 pursuant to the decision of a Constituent Assembly formed under an agreement that put an end to months of pro-democracy protests in 2006. But a right-wing coalition prominently including the Hindu nationalist Rastriya Prajatantra Party has launched a campaign for its restoration. (Jurist, Kathmandu Post, Kathmandu Post)
Nepal: investigate journalist deaths
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on Nepalese authorities to promptly investigate the recent deaths of journalists in the country.
One of the journalists, 32-year-old Suresh Rajak, died on March 28 after protesters set fire to a building where he was reporting. Firefighters were prevented rescuing Rajak by protestors pelting stones at them. Rajak was covering pro-monarchy protests, which were initially intended to be peaceful but turned violent after protesters breached police barricades. The building he was in was targeted after police allegedly launched tear-gas at the crowd from the top floor. (Jurist)