KATHMANDU, Aug 23: Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) has stated that its serious attention was drawn over some provisions of Civil and Criminal Codes that came into effect on August 17.
Issuing a press statement, the NEFEJ has mentioned that the provisions narrowing the essence of national and international legislations would not be acceptable.
Criminal code passed, Chhaupadi criminalized
The NEFEJ has categorically showed concern: Section 293 of Criminal Code criminalizes recording and listening to conversations between two or more people without consent of the persons involved; Section 294 prohibits disclosure of private information of public persons; Section 295 prohibits photographing a person outside the public space without consent; and Section 306 criminalizes satire.
The concerned bodies are urged to correct the legal devises that aim to curtail the press freedom. It has stated that the Constitution of Nepal has fully guaranteed freedom of speech and expression which needs to be reflected in the law-making process.
"National laws should not contradict with the provisions of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights," the NEFEJ said, expressing solidarity to the Federation of Nepali Journalists' campaign that aims to put pressure on the government to pay heed to this concern.
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