Human Rights groups including Human Rights Watch allege that on December 21, 2008, activists of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-M) attacked Nepalese journalists for unknown reasons. The Maoist Communist Party is the largest party in Nepal’s coalition government, and the party of Prime Minister Pushpa Kumal Dahal, the former rebel leader, known as ‘Prachanda.’

Human Rights groups have called on Prime Minister Prachanda to ensure that a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into these attacks is carried out. It is imperative that Nepal’s leader is seen to take a clear public stand on behalf of media freedom in his country. The Prime Minister has announced an investigation, but it has yet to begin.

The attacks were the work of two trade unions affiliated with the CPN-M, and were focused on the office of media company Himalmedia in Lalitpur. Around a dozen people were wounded, including the company’s head, and the Kunda Dixit, editor of its English-language magazine. The attack seems to have been in response to an article in the Himal Khabar Patrika that criticized steps taken by Maoist trade unions in shutting down industries.

These incidents have followed recent attacks on journalists and media groups. On November 16 a group of assailants attacked the Kathmandu office of Himal Khabar Patrika, burning 5,000 copies of the magazine. On October 20, assailants attacked the office of the Terai Times newspaper, following its publication of an article suggesting a link between CPN-M’s Young Communist League and groups providing protection for prostitution.

The situation is especially dangerous for journalists in the southern Terai region, where policing remains weak while the strength of armed groups is growing. This is shown by the case of Jagat Prasad Joshi, editor of a local daily newspaper who disappeared for over fifty days. His body was found (along with his identity card and mobile phone) at the bottom of a river. So far the Nepalese government has taken no worthwhile action, and a panel formed to investigate this death has remained idle.