Kathmandu, December 24:

The Patan Appellate Court Bar Association on Wednesday strongly demanded the government to implement in practice the freedom of speech and press guaranteed by the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007.

Issuing a press statement, the Patan Appellate Court Bar Association also called on the government to punish the persons who had been violating the freedom of speech and press, vandalising media houses and attacking the mediapersons.

“We seriously condemn the violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights and judicial independence, as the government is becoming unable to end the state of impunity,” stated the release.

The Patan Appellate Court Bar Association also expressed its solidarity with movements of professional organisation launched to ensure rule of law, human rights, democratic freedoms and the freedom of speech and press in the country.