Young people organised protests throughout Nepal against a government ban on social media. After heavy police violence, they have now achieved considerable success.
Nepal’s communist Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday following the violent suppression of street protests. The Nepalese newspaper “Republica” quoted him as saying that he wanted to contribute to a political solution. Young Nepalese in particular are calling for democratic change, more economic prospects and an end to widespread corruption. They see themselves as a “lost generation”.
The protests were triggered by the government’s blocking of social media platforms, which has since been lifted. On Monday, police used live ammunition and tear gas to crack down on nationwide “Generation Z demonstrations”. At least 19 demonstrators were shot dead and 400 injured in the capital Kathmandu alone.
Human rights activists are appalled
Human rights organisations reacted with horror to the government’s bloody actions. The shooting of demonstrators shows the “desperate need to suppress criticism”, said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.
Meanwhile, more and more young Nepalese are publicly calling on their parents to sever their ties with parties in the communist-dominated coalition government. This unusual form of protest gained further momentum after Monday’s violence.