ICEM calls for an end to Nepalese repression

ICEM calls for an end to Nepalese repression

With a Trade Union and Human Rights Conference scheduled for Kathmandu on 10-12 September, the 20-million-member ICEM protested loudly to the King of Nepal over actions taken by royal police to suppress free assembly and free speech in the Himalayan kingdom.

In a letter to King Gyanendra, ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs specifically referred to harsh actions by police prior to the Conference. Police used tear gas and brute force in the country's capital to break up a march of political and Trade Union leaders, were calling for full restoration of fundamental political liberties in Nepal. Some 400 leaders of Nepal's seven political parties as well as leaders of Trade Unions, including ICEM affiliates, were arrested over two days. In addition, 65 protesters were hospitalized due to unnecessary force by the royal administration on 5 September. "It has become obvious to the ICEM that King Guyanendra of Nepal is using an anti-corruption task force to repress political liberties and restrict universally accepted principles of free speech and free assembly," said Higgs. "It also is obvious that this device is being used to restrict Trade Union activity."

In his letter, Higgs cited a statement by the king on April 30, 2005, lifting the state of emergency and authoritarian rule that Guyanendra had imposed on 1 February. "But you left in place a powerful anti- panel and continued to ban free speech, -most notably Trade Union meetings-and protests. It has become apparent to the ICEM and to the world that your lifting of authoritarian rule was not genuine, but rather a ruse to the outside world while still retaining a ban on free and democratic participation, particularly by trade unions."

Higgs pointed out that the ICEM, representing 420 chemical, energy, mining and other unions in 125 countries, would participate fully in the 10-12 September conference in Kathmandu aimed at producing an agenda toward restoration of full democracy. The conference, sponsored by national trade union centres and others in Nepal, is backed by global trade union confederations and will draw 1,500 participants.

At last May's Annual Executive Council meeting of the ICEM, global trade union leaders condemned King Gyanendra's "irrational and unacceptable acts of denial to democratic rights and liberties." The Global Union Federation's Exectutive produced a resolution calling for five specific actions in Nepal:

• Immediate restoration of democratic governing principals and acceptance of a representative, parliamentary system, and release of all detainees;

• Withdrawal of censorship on media and guarantee of freedom of association and information;

• For the G-7 governments, the EU, India, and the rest of the International Community, to focus on the problem of liberty and democracy in Nepal and to use political and economic influence to bring about peace and a return to full democracy;

• For all civil societies of the World to mobilize and engage every possible means to wage campaigns and protests against the oppression of basic human rights in Nepal;

• For strenuous work, together with Global Union Federations and other Trade Unions of the World to support Trade Unions in Nepal through assistance in union building and other measures until full democracy and complete compliance with international labour standards, particularly freedom of association, are rediscovered in Nepal.

More: ICEM Letter to King Guyanendra of Nepal http://www.icem.org/update/upd2005/FH-KngNp.pdf