PHA-Exchange> PHM Nepal activist Dr. Mathura Shrestha released

[Wim De Ceukelaire]

Press release from Amnesty International:


Prisoners of conscience Krishna Pahadi, Dr Devendra Raj Panday, Dr
Mathura Prasad Shrestha and Shyam Shrestha were among hundreds of civil
society and political party activists who were released on 25 April amid
a historic political transition in Nepal. 

On 24 April, following nearly three weeks of massive nationwide public
protests against palace rule, King Gyanendra announced the reinstatement
of Parliament. Since King Gyanendra seized direct control of the
government on 1 February 2005, he has used the security forces to
spearhead a massive crackdown on dissent. Members of the non-violent
political opposition have been arbitrarily detained, beaten, and even
shot. In his latest announcement, the King conceded that “Sovereignty of
the Kingdom of Nepal is inherent in the people of Nepal” and recognized
“the spirit of the ongoing people's movement.” 

Krishna Pahadi, a former chair of Amnesty International Nepal and
founder of the Human Rights and Peace Society; Dr Devendra Raj Panday,
former president of the anti-corruption organization Transparency
International-Nepal; Dr Mathura Prasad Shrestha, president of Physicians
for Social Responsibility-Nepal; and Shyam Shrestha, editor of the
political journal Mulyankan,are all leaders of the Citizens' Movement
for Democracy and Peace (CMDP). The CMDP has played a key role in
organizing pro-democracy demonstrations over the past year. 

Speaking to Amnesty International by phone, Krishna Pahadi thanked all
those who sent appeals on behalf of prisoners of conscience in Nepal. He
also gave special thanks to members of the AI delegation that visited
him and Shyam Shrestha in custody in March 2006. 

“Peace and human rights must be the priority now,” Krishna Pahadi said.
“The politics of violence must end.” 

http://www.samudaya.org/articles/archives/2006/04/nepal_civil_soc.php
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