Nepal is in the grip of its worst political crisis in years, as youth-led protests over corruption and digital freedoms have been met with lethal state violence, deepening a nationwide crisis of governance and trust.
Protests centred around a controversial social media ban and rampant corruption in Nepal spiralled out of control following the use of deadly violence against protestors by authorities. The government crackdown was met with widespread, youth-led, nationwide protests under the banner of Gen-Z, that have seen 51 people killed as of now, 1,000 injured, government buildings torched, mass prison escapes, and ministers attacked in their homes.
Timeline of events (updated 15/09/2025)
August 2025
The crisis and the violent response to the youth-led protests was preceded by concerns from civil society about the government’s attempts to constrain freedom of association including through a draft NGO registration, regulation and management bill, that was published in August.
September 4
On the 4 September, the Nepali government ordered the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to block 26 unregistered social media platforms including Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram. Civil society actors argued that the ban was part of a broader trend of shrinking the enabling environment for civic space. On 30 August and 3 September, CSO leaders, lawyers, and journalists already raised alarm over a draft NGO law that would consolidate and tighten control over civil society operations
September 8
Protests led by Gen-Z erupted all over Nepal on September 8, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and other major city centres—against corruption and the government’s decision to ban 26 major social media platforms. Security forces responded with excessive force, including water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. At least 19 people were killed, with hundreds injured, many of them students. Hospitals were overwhelmed with critically wounded protesters, including victims with gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
The government lifted the social media ban on September 8 to appease demands, but the unrest has shifted toward a broader political crisis. Civil society organisations condemned the government’s violent crackdown and called for accountability.
September 9
Anti-corruption protests continued to escalate nationwide on September 9. Security forces used water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and, in multiple locations, live rounds. Media and hospital reports confirmed at least 22 fatalities and more than 500 injuries, many of them students, with numbers continuing to rise as hospitals release updated figures.
Despite curfews, protests intensified on 9 September 2025, following the resignation of the Prime Minister. Reports indicated widespread violence, including attacks on police posts, government offices, and politicians’ residences.
The situation has escalated into a national political crisis undermining governance structures and public trust in institutions.
These developments represent a serious deterioration of the enabling environment, undermining fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, eroding trust in state institutions, and exposing youth and civil society activists to heightened risks of violence and repression.
Lethal crowd control and arbitrary violence against protesters undermine freedoms of assembly and expression; curfews and digital restrictions chill civic participation; arson and attacks on institutions erode public trust and rule-of-law guarantees; mass prison breaks highlight a breakdown in state authority; and the leadership crisis complicates state openness and responsiveness to civil society.
The latest figures suggest at least 51 people killed linked to the protests, and more than 1,000 injured.
September 12
former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, seen as an anti-corruption voice by protestors, has been named the country’s interim Prime Minister as part of the interim Government and the nation’s first female Prime Minister.
How can civil society respond effectively?
Firstly, the EU SEE network partners in Nepal:
- Express their heartfelt tribute to all of those who have lost their lives.
- Urge authorities ensure appropriate relief and fair compensation are provided to the families of killed protestors.
- Condemn the excessive use of force by police and authorities, which contravenes the Nepali Constitution and the ICCPR.
- Demand clear commitments from authorities to use restraint and proportionality in policing assemblies.
- Call for legal safeguards for freedom of peaceful assembly to prevent excessive force in the future.
- Condemn acts of arson, vandalism, and violence targeting public property, historical heritage sites, private property, commercial centres, political party offices, and various government institutions.
- Demand the formation of a high-level investigation commission to conduct an independent and impartial investigation.
- Highlight the need for funding mechanisms to strengthen civil society’s emergency response and advocacy capacities during crises.
“In this challenging situation, it is essential that we all exercise patience and restraint to maintain peace and stability, while protecting Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, democracy, and human rights. We make an appeal to all protesting Generation Z youth, and to everyone concerned, to act with responsibility and commitment to these shared values” – NGO Federation of Nepal
How can civil society respond?
National level
- Civil society organisations can engage with the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, Parliament, and the Office of the Attorney General to demand accountability for excessive force, independent investigations into casualties, and immediate protection for protesters and human rights defenders.
- NHRC has already issued preliminary calls for restraint and is expected to open investigations into deaths/injuries.
- Our network member in Nepal recommends the creation of a judicial commission of inquiry with international observers, guarantees of safety for Human Rights Defenders, civil society activists, journalists, lawyers, and medical workers, and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform involving youth, civil society, private sector, and political actors.
Regional level
- South Asian civil society networks, including SAARC mechanisms, could amplify calls for restraint and accountability.
- Regional bar associations and press councils could issue statements condemning violations of freedom of expression and assembly.
- Linking the Gen-Z protests in Nepal with other youth-led movements across South Asia could foster cross-border solidarity and visibility.
International level
- Engage with UN Special Rapporteurs (freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, extrajudicial executions), as well as OHCHR and the Human Rights Council, to request an urgent debate.
- Carry out diplomatic outreach to the EU, US, and other partners to highlight the need to align aid and cooperation on respect for human rights and accountability for abuses.
- Mobilise humanitarian agencies to provide medical supplies, safe spaces, and protection programs for vulnerable groups in curfew zones.
The crisis in Nepal also highlights further regional deteriorations in the enabling environment for civil society.
Despite constitutional protections, CSOs in India continue to face surveillance, harassment and increasing legal scrutiny, Sri Lanka remains in a precarious position since President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country in 2022. In neighbouring Bhutan, civil society activities are constrained by bureaucratic red tape, a lack of access to information, and the discretionary implementation of restrictive laws. In Pakistan, mass convictions of opposition party supporters have had a chilling effect on civil society. The situation in Myanmar is particularly critical. The military junta has halted the NGO distribution of critical HIV, malaria and tuberculosis medications, while travel bans are transport restrictions are on the rise as regional tensions increase.
Nepali civil society organizations have publicly condemned the crackdown, though most prefer not to be quoted directly for security reasons. Nepal must urgently restore civic freedoms, protect its youth, and engage with civil society to rebuild trust, or risk sliding into deeper crisis.