Nepal faces political crisis as protests turn deadly and civil society calls for accountability
Nepal is facing its worst political crisis in years as youth-led protests over corruption and digital freedoms have been met with lethal state violence, leaving at least 51 dead and over 1,000 injured. Civil society groups are calling for accountability, independent investigations, and protection of fundamental freedoms, warning that without urgent reforms the country risks sliding into deeper instability.
Nepal is experiencing its worst political crisis in years after youth-led protests against corruption and restrictions on digital freedoms turned violent. Demonstrations erupted when the government ordered a nationwide ban on 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram, on 4 September. Protesters took to the streets demanding accountability, but security forces responded with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and even live ammunition.
By mid-September, at least 51 people had been killed and more than 1,000 injured. The government lifted the social media ban within days, but anger had already grown into a wider movement against corruption and political mismanagement. The unrest intensified after the Prime Minister resigned on 9 September, with reports of government buildings being burned, ministers being attacked in their homes, and prison escapes adding to the turmoil.
In an effort to restore order, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed interim Prime Minister on 12 September, making her Nepal’s first female leader. Protesters view her as an anti-corruption figure, but the wider crisis has shaken governance and public trust in institutions. Civil society groups have condemned the use of lethal force, called for independent investigations into deaths and injuries, and urged compensation for the families of victims. They have also warned that shrinking civic space—through restrictive NGO laws, curfews, and digital controls—is undermining democratic freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.
Civil society networks in Nepal and across South Asia are proposing ways forward. Locally, they urge the government to work with the National Human Rights Commission and set up a judicial inquiry with international observers. Regionally, groups call for solidarity with youth movements and pressure through bar associations and press councils. Internationally, human rights advocates are appealing to UN bodies and global partners to demand accountability and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those affected.
