Defend Nepal

Get Active: ARBITRARY ARREST AND DETENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
FEAR FOR LIFE AND PERSONAL SAFETY OF GOPAL SIWAKOTI 'CHINTAN'

Gopal Siwakoti "Chintin", a human rights lawyer and activist from Nepal, coordinator of Water and Energy Users Federation-Nepal and South Asian Solidarity for Rivers and Peoples Forum, and a close colleague of ours, has been unlawfully arrested and detained.

We learned that he was arrested at a public rally in Kathmandu on February 2, 2006. The current government of Nepal, lead by King Gaynendra, is making unlawfull arrests of human rights activists, political leaders and public figures since two weeks. Amnesty speaks of a "crackdown on the political opposition". Amnesty assumes that more than 1,350 people have been arrested since mid January, the majority of which are still detained.

PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY FOR GOPAL BY SENDING THE FOLLOWING APPEAL TO

The Government of Nepal, Ministry of Home Affairs,
homehmg@wlink.com.np

Thank You,

International Rivers Network

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I condemn the unjustified arrest and detainment of Mr. Gopal Siwakoti 'Chintan' and urgently appeal for his release.

I urgently appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of of Mr. Gopal Siwakoti 'Chintan', a human rights lawyer, who has been arrested on February 2, 2006 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

I condemns in the strongest terms the unjustified arrest and detainment of Gopal Siwakoti, the coordinator of Water and Energy Users Federation-Nepal and South Asian Solidarity for Rivers and Peoples Forum. Mr. Siwakoti is highly respected in the international movement for ecological justice and human rights.

I am deeply concerned for the safety of Mr. Siwakoti.

Gopal Siwakoti is a forceful advocate for human rights and international solidarity. His arrest violates the fundamental right to free speech that underlies all just and democratic societies. I call on the government of Nepal to release Gopal Siwakoti immediately and unconditionally.

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