Nepal Prime Minister Sharma Oli has announced his resignation, demanding a state of emergency and a constitutional solution to the political crisis.
Mass protests in Nepal have escalated into a full-blown political crisis in recent days. Protesters, mostly young people known as “Generation Z,” took to the streets on September 4 after the government banned 26 popular social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
The demonstrations soon expanded to include demands for anti-corruption and freedom of speech. Protests in Kathmandu and other cities have become increasingly violent over the past month.
Police have used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. According to the latest official figures, at least 19 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the crackdown. The situation escalated on September 8, when protesters tried to storm the parliament building. Fires broke out in some areas, ambulances and government property were damaged.
International organizations and human rights activists strongly condemned the actions of the police. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called for an independent and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances of the deaths and violence. “The government must be held accountable for the deaths and violence against its citizens.
We demand an immediate investigation and a fair trial,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement. In the wake of the protests, the government decided to lift the ban on social media, and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced his resignation. Several ministers have also resigned.
According to government officials, a special commission will be formed to investigate the circumstances of the crackdown. The situation in Nepal remains tense: small protests continue in cities, but large-scale clashes have temporarily ceased. The international community is monitoring the developments and calling on all parties to refrain from violence.