The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal  has released a statement deploring the murder on 11 January of Janakpur-based journalist Uma Singh, who died after she was attacked at her home by a group of about 15 men armed with khukhuris. No one has yet claimed responsibility.

In a statement OHCHR Nepal calls on Nepal Police to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into her death, to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Singh was a reporter at Radio Today FM and a member of the Women’s Human Rights Defenders Network, Dhanusha.

OHCHR-Nepal ask “Government authorities to swiftly investigate and prosecute death threats and an apparent attempt to attack another woman journalist in Janakpur the same night. Doing so will send a strong message that there will be no impunity for attacks against the media, nor for any serious crimes. OHCHR-Nepal calls on all sectors of Nepali society to respect freedom of opinion and the rights of journalists.”

“Occurring amid a growing number of reports of incidents targeting journalists throughout Nepal, this tragedy should galvanise those responsible for protection of media freedom to take the necessary action to ensure the security of journalists,” said OHCHR-Nepal Representative Richard Bennett.

Link to OHCHR-Nepal