KATHMANDU, Aug 31: Himal Southasian, a regional journal promoting ‘cross-border journalism’ in South Asia, has decided to suspend its publication from November 2016.

According to the publishers, the decision was taken ‘due to non-cooperation by regulatory state agencies of publication.’

The publishers have accused the bureaucracy of Nepal of harassing and paralyzing the functioning of the journalism through unreasonable delays in approving grants for the journal, denial to renew or approve work permits for non-Nepali editorial staff and holding of the processing of payments to contributors.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) said that the government of Nepal has violated its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Nepal is a State Party.

Meanwhile, the FORUM-ASIA urged the government of Nepal to immediately take all measures necessary to enable Himal Southasian to continue its functioning, and stop the clampdown on media professionals.

Himal started publication in 1987 as a Himalayan journal and later converted into a South Asian magazine in 1996.

 
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