Concern over suppression of peaceful protest

Freedom Forum has been alarmed over the suppression of peaceful protests being waged at various places of country including the federal capital Kathmandu. The security persons used excessive force on the peaceful protest at Baluwatar, Kathmandu on January 25, which led to injury to some participants in the peaceful protest. It is a sheer violation of citizen's right to peaceful protest and assembly enshrined in the constitution. The freedoms of peaceful protest and peaceful assembly are liked to citizen's freedom of expression. Such disproportionate use of force to suppress protest/assembly mocks at constitutional guarantee and shrinks civic space. To this, FF Executive Chief Taranath Dahal observed, "The disproportionate use of force by the security persons on peaceful protesters shows the government is for control and suppression, rather than respect to citizen's rights. Where citizens' rights are respected, the law is abided by. In a democratic system, the citizens have the right to exercise freedoms in an unobstructed manner." Since the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR) by the President upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister on December 20, various sections including political parties and civil society organizations and leaders have been protesting the move calling it 'undemocratic' and 'unconstitutional'. Currently, hearing on the case relating to HoR dissolution is going on in court. For More, Freedom Forum Kathmandu