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This News Service is posted by the
International Secretariat of Amnesty International,
1 Easton Street, London WC1X 8DJ
(Tel +44-71-413-5500, Fax +44-71-956-1157)
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News Service 57/96

17 MARCH 1996



NEPAL: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ACTIVISTS DETAINED

Amnesty International strongly protested the detention today
of three members of the organization~s Nepal Section. The
activists were detained in connection with peaceful
activities they were undertaking as part of a worldwide
campaign against human rights violations in China.

      Badri Khanal, Mani Ram Neupane and Pralad Basned were
detained by Nepalese police in Kathmandu. They had set up a
table at which they were collecting signatures and
distributing material on human rights in China. Police
officers took the activists into custody and confiscated a
table, chairs, banners and other materials.
      ~Amnesty International strongly condemns the detention
of its members for peaceful campaigning activities,~ the
organization said. ~This action by the Nepalese authorities
is a clear violation of the right of Nepalese people to
freedom of expression, and runs counter to Nepal~s image as
an open society.~

      ~We call on the Nepal government to release the three
immediately and unconditionally. The authorities should also
ensure that Amnesty International members are allowed to
continue in their peaceful campaigning activities without
further harassment.~

      Despite this intimidation by the government, Amnesty
International Nepal members plan to proceed with a
demonstration tomorrow outside the Chinese Embassy to
highlight the organization~s concerns about the human rights
situation in China. Amnesty International will be monitoring
events closely, the organization said.

      Amnesty International delegates in Bangkok were
detained last week by the Thai police and prevented from
attending a press conference to launch the campaign. Later
the same day, Thai police and special forces in riot gear
stopped the delegation at the entrance of  the Chinese
Embassy, where they wanted to deliver Amnesty International~s
report on China ~No one is safe~.

      ~The actions by regional governments to obstruct our
message show the degree to which they will bow to China~s
enormous power and influence,~ Amnesty International said.
~This sets a worrying pattern for the freedom of speech in
the region, and sends a clear message to the people of China
that  the international community is not serious about
protecting their human  rights.~

      ~The Chinese government is not content with silencing
those who speak up in China. Their message is loud and clear:
no discussion about our human rights record. Anywhere, by
anyone, at any time.~

      ~Other governments may help to shelter China from
international criticism, but they will not stop us.~


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