Kathmandu– Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalist (NEFEJ) has said that its attention has been drawn over the some provisions of Civil and Criminal codes that came into effect on August 17.
“Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalist (NEFEJ) is playing a vital role in the protection of environment through media and we closely follow the laws, policy and regulations related to media,” a statement issued by NEFEJ reads.
According to NEFEJ, these provisions are objectionable:
- Section 293, which criminalizes recording and listening to conversations between two or more people without consent of the persons involved.
- Section 294 prohibits disclosing private information without permission, including private information on public figures.
- Section 295 prohibits photographing a person outside of a public space without their consent.
- Section 306 criminalizes satire that disrespects an individual
“We urge government to amend the new criminal code in order to correct the provisions that aims to limit the press freedom. The constitution of Nepal adopted in 2015 has fully guaranteed freedom of speech and expression which needs to be replicated in law-making process, the statement reads.
At the same time, our laws should not contradict with the provisions of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Convention on Civil and Political rights. We express our solidarity to FNJ’s pressure campaign that aims to put pressure on government to amend those provisions, according to the statement.
