More than 100 human rights activists and opposition supporters were arrested by the authorities in Nepal on 19 January.

Binod Shrestha, General Secretary of the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), Anti-Slavery International's partner, is among those arrested.

Human rights activists, non-governmental organisations and opposition politicians fear King Gyanendra's plans to hold municipal elections on
8 February, will further strengthen his authoritarian rule.

The King dismissed the government, dissolved parliament and seized absolute power in February 2005. Anti-Slavery International is deeply concerned by the King's actions and urges a return to democracy. The democratic process is vital to the operation of human rights organisations and to their ability to identify, liberate and help bonded labourers and other marginalised people.

The restoration of democracy in 1991, enabled NGOs to work on such pressing issues as eliminating bonded labour. After years of pressure from Anti-Slavery International and local organisations, the Government finally outlawed this form of slavery in 2002. Further implementation of this law is jeopardised by the current crisis.

For background see bonded labour in Nepal