Kathmandu, October 6:

Reporters San Frontiers (RSF) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on media crackdown in Nepal last week.

The 12-point resolution, adopted on September 29, says “restrictions on the media’s freedom should be lifted immediately and all political prisoners in detention should be either released or charged.”

RSF, which has often interceded with members of the EP about Nepal, said, “King Gyanendra must heed the EP’s appeal to lift all measures taken against the privately-owned press and the government must implement its recommendations as quickly as possible.”

The resolution is clear in its condemnation of human rights violations by the royal government, said a statement issued by the RSF yesterday.

To mount pressure on the Nepali authorities, the European parliamentarians called for sanctions to remain in place, especially those concerning military aid. They also recommended forming a contact group with the UN, India and the United States. To justify these positions, the resolution refers several times to the arrests of journalists from demonstrations.