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19 January, 2006
The ICEM is calling on Nepal’s monarchy to immediately release the top two leaders of Nepalese trade union federation General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), as well as scores of senior leaders of a seven-party political coalition who were rounded up yesterday and early today and placed under a 90-day detention order. Early today, authorities arrested GEFONT senior leaders Chairperson Mukunda Neupane and Secretary-General Binod Shrestha at their homes.
The Global Union Federation (GUF), covering 20 million workers from the energy and chemicals sectors to mining and process industry sectors, also is calling on King Gyanendra to immediately rescind a 16 January dictum that forbids peaceful protest and assembly in Kathmandu and neighbouring Lalitpur.
The order banning all assemblies, processions and political sit-ins is aimed at blocking scheduled non-violent protests for tomorrow, 20 January, as well as future pro-democracy rallies.
“We call for immediate release of GEFONT’s leaders and others,” stated ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. “To arrest these people only deepens our resolve, and the resolve of pro-democracy voices inside Nepal for an end to the absolute rule of this monarchist regime.”
Higgs added, “The political coalition that has taken shape in Nepal has proven through its peaceful mass protest in Janakpur on 12 January that non-violent dissent is a legitimate vehicle for an end to the suppression of political rights,” said Higgs. “The ICEM supports the people of Nepal to participate in such non-violent protests and demonstrations.”
Further, the ICEM condemns the regime’s recent curfews, changes in media law placing stricter controls on radio stations, and today’s cut-off of mobile phone transmissions.
The Brussels-based GUF also voices its opposition to recent amendments to Nepal’s Labour Code, which have been orchestrated by government ministries intended for the royal seal. Such amendments, the ICEM feels, will restrict workers’ rights and trade union rights, as well as imposing undue foreign influence inside Nepal’s worksites.