COSATU+condemns+arrest+of+Nepal+trade+unionists



=**COSATU condemns arrest of Nepal trade unionists**=

The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of the top two leaders of the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) - Chairperson Mukunda Neupane and Secretary-General Binod Shrestha - and scores of senior leaders of a seven-party political coalition.

They were rounded up yesterday and early today and placed under a 90-day detention order. The government also searched the GEFONT HQ, cut its telephone lines and are keeping the building under surveillance.

COSATU strongly backs the call made by the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions on the government of King Gyanendra demanding the **immediate** release of all those arrested. This is an appalling attack on democracy, trade union freedom and human rights which must be condemned around the world.

We also support the call by the Global Union Federation (GUF), on the monarch to immediately rescind a 16 January order that forbids peaceful protest and assembly in Kathmandu and neighbouring Lalitpur. The order, banning all assemblies, processions and political sit-ins, is aimed at blocking scheduled non-violent protests planned for today, as well as future pro-democracy rallies.

COSATU also condemns the regime’s recent curfews, changes in the media law which place stricter controls on radio stations, and today’s cut-off of mobile phone transmissions.

A joint statement by GEFONT and other union federations, says that “in order to legalise the autocracy, through a municipal election ploy, the royal regime has created further anarchy in the name of law and order.”

We send our solidarity and support to our fellow workers in Nepal and will not rest until every one of those arrested has been freed and democracy established in the country. An injury to one is an injury to all!


 * Patrick Craven (Editor, Shopsteward Journal)**
 * Congress of South African Trade Unions**
 * 1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets**
 * Braamfontein, 2017**


 * P.O.Box 1019**
 * Johannesburg, 2000**
 * South Africa**


 * Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24**
 * Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940**
 * E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za**