KATHMANDU: The US ambassador to Nepal, Nancy J Powell, on Saturday said that the government had rarely taken action to investigate into the cases of violence against journalists.

Issuing a press statement Powell said, “We continue to be concerned about reports of attacks on and intimidation of the press in Nepal. There is no justification for the use of violence and intimidation against the

media by any party or criminal group. Wherever media freedom is under siege, all other human rights are under threat.”

She also called on the government to protect press freedom and ensure the rule of law by investigating into attacks on the media and prosecuting the perpetrators. Powell said democracy can flourish only when freedom of the press is protected.

“The US joins the international community in celebrating the contributions of free media to the advancement of human dignity, liberty and prosperity worldwide. Freedom of the media — a right protected by Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights — is the hallmark of a free society,” read the statement.

Quoting 2008 Human Rights Report on Nepal she said, “Press offices and journalists were subjected to deliberate and organised assaults primarily from agitating armed groups in the Tarai, youth wings of political parties, security personnel, and others. The government rarely took action to investigate into the cases of violence against journalists.”