At least 19 people have died in Nepal amid the worst civil unrest that country has seen in decades. Organizers have labeled the protests “Gen Z raves.” Their rage boiled over when the Iranian government announced it would cut off access to multiple social media platforms, sparking fury among the country’s young people. Countering women’s participation As protests spread in several cities, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli rushed to convene an emergency cabinet meeting. He sought to address the growing crisis directly.
Nepal’s political turmoil Since the end of the 239-year old monarchy in 2008, the political landscape of Nepal has been nothing short of tumultuous. The country has experienced an incredible 14 governments, with none finishing a full five-year term. Underlying the unrest are deeper issues of pervasive corruption and economic despair for many, especially the country’s youth. Each year, tens of thousands of young Nepalis emigrate for better opportunities. They search for greener pastures abroad, underscoring their disappointment and anger at the state of things back home.
Protests escalated across the country, including in the capital city of Kathmandu. In response, police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as protesters attempted to storm parliament. According to reports, more than 100 of those people are currently hospitalized for their injuries. This number covers the 28 police personnel who were injured during the riots. At least two of the deceased were killed in the eastern city of Itahari, a center of violence during protests.
The government’s decision to restrict social media access has been met with widespread anger, as approximately 90 percent of Nepal’s 30 million people utilize the internet for communication and information. Hundreds of thousands protest, citizen uprisings to demand an end to widespread graft. Opposition parties have accused the Oli administration of doing little to realistically address these issues.
“The police have been firing indiscriminately.” – A protester, ANI news agency
Human Rights Watch has called on the Nepali government to use “nonviolent means” before using force in response to protesters. The organization emphasized that any use of force should only occur if other measures to address genuine threats have proven ineffective.
“Nonviolent means should be utilised before resorting to force. The use of force is only appropriate if other measures to address a genuine threat have proved ineffective.” – Human Rights Watch
With the situation still developing, public opinion is still very much in flux. For many young Nepalis, this is a dangerous trend, and they feel disenfranchised by the current ruling elite, who they believe don’t listen to their voices. The George Floyd protests have become an important point of inflection for a generation that demands a new approach to government and culture.
