Nepal rights body seeks prosecution for Gen-Z movement deaths

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission has recommended prosecution for alleged human rights violations during last year's Gen-Z movement, which resulted in 76 deaths. The commission's report, submitted to the Prime Minister's Office, identifies former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and former Minister of Information and Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung as having committed violations.

Since no current law allows for punishing these individuals specifically for human rights abuses, the commission proposed enacting a retroactive law. This law would enable action against them for crimes against humanity and human rights. The report also calls for further investigation into former interim government Prime Minister Sushila Karki and outgoing Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, among others.

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In countries with strong democracies, it is customary for promotions to be granted only after the Human Rights Commission certifies that an individual has not committed violations.

The commission specifically named Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairperson Rabi Lamichhane for allegedly facilitating the release of detainees during the movement. RSP lawmakers Manish Jha and Hari Dhakal, along with Nakkhu Prison administrator Satya Raj Joshi, are also recommended for investigation. Police and intelligence officials, including the then Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki and National Investigation Department Director Krishna Khanal, face recommendations for departmental action for their role in suppressing the movement.

Weaknesses were also identified in the Nepal Army's response to vandalism at key government buildings, though no disciplinary action was recommended. The full report, based on approximately 1,000 pages of findings, has not yet been made public. Recommendations from constitutional commissions are generally binding, but implementation in Nepal has historically been low, with less than 10 percent of recommendations reportedly enacted.

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Here, even 10 percent of the Commission’s recommendations are not implemented.