Media Action Nepal calls for an end to impunity for crimes against Journalists in Nepal
KATHMANDU | November 2: Media Action Nepal calls for an end to impunity for crimes against journalists in Nepal. Despite Nepal’s constitution guarantees press freedom, numerous cases of journalist killings, disappearances and serious attacks remain unresolved. While some cases have resulted in convictions, most of the cases lack effective investigations, prosecution or publicly documented progress towards justice.
On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Media Action Nepal calls on the Government of Nepal and relevant authorities to ensure that crimes against journalists are investigated and perpetrators are held accountable.
Crimes against journalists during the armed conflict
Several cases from the conflict era are not resolved or are pending before transitional justice mechanisms. These include the cases of journalists Krishna Sen ”Ichchhuk”, Iswor Budhathoki, Nawaraj Sharma ‘Basanta’, Kumar Ghimire, Dev Kumar Acharya, Raj Kumar KC, Kamal AC, Maheshwor Pahari, Ambika Timsina and Gopal Giri.
Krishna Sen “Ichchhuk”, editor of Janadisha, was arrested by security forces in 2002 and died after being tortured in custody. No court case has been filed, and his case remains pending before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Iswor Budhathoki, a former secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, was killed by security forces in Sindhupalchowk in 2002. His case also remains pending before the TRC. These cases illustrate the prolonged failure to translate documented crimes into effective criminal accountability.
Journalists killed after the CPA
The killings of journalists continued after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) . Cases include Birendra Sah, Khagendra Shrestha, J.P. Joshi, Devi Prasad Dhital, Jamim Shah, Uma Singh, Arun Singhaniya and Yadav Poudel. Their cases show varying degrees of investigation and judicial action, but also expose persistent delays and lack of accountability.
Birendra Sah, a journalist from Bara, was abducted and killed in 2007. Although two individuals were sentenced in 2011, further action against other accused was delayed for years. In the case of Jamim Shah, who was shot dead in Kathmandu in 2010, a government commission investigated the killing, but its report was not made public. A suspect was presented before the court in 2015, and the case has been reported as sub judice.
Journalists killed during the Madhesh Movement
The killings of Rohan Chaudhary and Ganesh Chaudhary during the Madhesh Movement in September 2015 also raises serious concerns about accountability for violence involving security personnel. Publicly documented prosecution and conviction remain absent in these cases too.
Disappeared journalists
Similarly, the whereabouts of several journalists remain unknown, including Milan Nepali, Dhan Bahadur Rokaya Magar, Madan Poudel and Prakash Singh Thakuri. Their cases require renewed efforts to establish the truth, determine the circumstances of disappearance and ensure accountability.
In the case of Prakash Singh Thakuri, editor and publisher of Aajako Samachar, he was abducted from his home in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur, on 5 July 2007, by armed forces on suspicion of being associated with the Maoists. His body has never been recovered. Similarly, in Milan Nepali’s case, the UN Human Rights Committee found violations in 2015, yet criminal accountability has not followed.
Recent killings and attacks
Not only have the cases from the distant past, we had recent incidents that demonstrates that impunity remains a present-day concern. Cases including the killing of Suresh Bhul in 2024, the death of Avenues Television cameraman Suresh Rajak in 2025 are the latest cases where the prosecution has not been expedited as expected. Reports indicate that the main assailant remains at large in the case of Bhul. In the case of Rajak who was burned to death while covering the Tinkune protest on 28 March 2025, the National Human Rights Commission called for a fresh investigation.
Convictions demonstrate that justice is possible
Some cases show that perpetrators can be held accountable, although often after prolonged delays. In the murder of Radio Nepal reporter Dekendra Raj Thapa, three individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment 17 years after his killing. Similarly, in the case of Uma Singh, the mastermind was convicted in 2015. In the murder of Arun Singhaniya, the mastermind was sentenced in 2019, followed by a High Court verdict in 2022.
In a sad development, the presidential pardon granted in 2022 to Yuvraj Giri, the principal accused in journalist Yadav Poudel’s murder, despite his life sentence upheld on appeal in 2014, raising serious concerns about accountability.
The roots of impunity
Weak investigations, loss of evidence, political interference, prolonged court proceedings, delays in transitional justice and failure to implement human rights recommendations contribute to continued impunity.
“Every unresolved killing, disappearance and attack on a journalist sends a dangerous message that those who silence the press can escape accountability. Justice must not depend on political influence or remain trapped in commissions and court files for decades. Ending impunity is a constitutional and democratic obligation,” said Umesh Pokharel, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal.
Media Action Nepal urges the Government of Nepal, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and transitional justice bodies to publish case-wise updates on crimes against journalists; conduct independent investigations; prosecute those responsible; implement court orders and National Human Rights Commission’s recommendations; and ensure truth, accountability and remedies for victims’ families.
Media Action Nepal urges the Government of Nepal, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and transitional justice bodies to publish case-wise updates on crimes against journalists; conduct independent investigations; prosecute those responsible; implement court orders and National Human Rights Commission’s recommendations; and ensure truth, accountability and remedies for victims’ families.