IAWRT sent the Prime Minister of Nepal condolences on the death of journalist Uma Singh and called for justice for her killers. Read the full text.
23 January 2009
Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal
Prime Minister's office
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Dear Mr Dahal,
I am writing to you on behalf of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) to offer our condolences on the murder of young Nepalese radio journalist Uma Singh and to ask that the Government of Nepal does everything in its power to bring her killers to justice.
IAWRT also asks that the Government takes greater steps to protect journalists working in Nepal.
Bringing Ms Singh's killers to speedy justice is not only the right and proper action for a Government to take in these circumstances, but it will send a clear and unambiguous message to everyone who opposes the democratic and economic development of Nepal that they cannot silence progress with brutality.
IAWRT is an international association with a strong and active chapter in Nepal, and our members throughout the world are rightly appalled by the murder of Ms Singh and attacks on others working in the media in Nepal.
In December 2007 IAWRT co-hosted an international conference in Kathmandu on Media Women Building Peace which was well attended by Nepal media and international organisations. We were impressed by the capacity, independence and strength of the Nepalese women in the media and it is thus even more shocking to read about Ms Singh's murder in light of the experiences and challenges we shared.
We support the cause of more open and honest communications because without it no country cannot realise its full potential in the world. We send our condolences to Ms Singh's family and colleagues and to you and the people of Nepal on the occasion of this tragedy.
Sincerely, Olya BooyarPresidentInternational Association of Women in Radio and Television President:OlyaBooyar ,Australia olya@bigpond.com
Vice President: Bandana Rana, Nepal bandanarana@gmail.com
Treasurer: Elizabeth C Roxas, Philippines, ebc@ebc.org.ph
Secretary & Information; Gunilla Ivarsson, Sweden igmivarsson@hotmail.com
Board Members:
Madeleine Memb, Cameroon, membmadeleine@yahoo.fr ,
Racheal Nakitare, Kenya,
Liz Miller, Canada.
Co-opted:Kirsten Bråthen, Norway kirsten.brathen@nrk.no
Awards Coordinator Gerd Inger Polden, Norway gerd.inger.polden@nrk.no
Web-address: www.iawrt.org
IAWRT HAS CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council)
