Kathmandu, May 3:

Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) in Nepal, Lena Sundh, today said that journalists’ right to freedom of expression was still under threat in Nepal.

“Although the conflict has ended and we have seen significant improvement in the respect for human rights, journalists’ right to freedom of expression remains under threat in Nepal,” she said.

Meanwhile, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today appealed to all governments and authorities to respect or renew their commitments to guarantee the exercise of freedom of expression, ensure the safety of journalists and end impunity for crimes against them.

Arbour added: “Countries in conflict are the deadliest for journalists. Media workers are often accidental victims of armed confrontation, but disturbingly frequently they are targeted by warring parties who have an interest in operating in obscurity. But journalists are also killed, harassed and intimidated — by authorities, armed groups or organised crime — in countries that are nominally at peace.”