Following the recent political developments in the country, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed serious concern over reports received through various sources indicating that different groups are preparing to stage protests again, and over the potential obstruction such activities may pose to peace, security, and the enjoyment of human rights.
The press release issued on October 26, 2025, stated that peaceful assembly, demonstration, holding meetings, and expressing demands are fundamental rights of citizens and matters of human rights.
The Commission noted that Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, and Article 19 of the Constitution of Nepal guarantee the right to freedom of thought and expression.
Similarly, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966, to which Nepal is a State Party, also guarantees every individual the right to hold opinions without interference. The statement emphasized that it is the duty of the State to respect such rights of citizens and to create an enabling environment for their exercise.
The Commission stated that the issues raised by the Gen Z generation following the movements of September 8 and 9, must be addressed appropriately and in a timely manner.
Referring to past experiences where protests had turned destructive and violent, the NHRC urged all parties to remain alert to prevent such violence in the future and to ensure that upcoming demonstrations remain peaceful.
It further stated that both the government and protestors share the responsibility of preventing infiltration in forthcoming demonstrations. To maintain peace, the security agencies are expected to act with restraint, patience, and prudence, while the protesting groups are also obliged to keep their activities peaceful, refrain from hate speech, and control provocative behaviour.
The Commission reaffirmed its belief that problems can only be resolved through dialogue and discussion. It stated that every problem must be addressed peacefully based on the principles of the rule of law, the constitution, legal norms, and human rights values.
Therefore, the Commission called on the Government of Nepal to address the demands of citizens promptly, to ensure the participation of all in resolving the issues, and to respect and protect citizens’ right to peaceful protest and human rights. Likewise, the Commission urged the protesting groups to present their demands in a peaceful manner, as mentioned in the statement issued by NHRC Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Dr. Tika Ram Pokharel
Deepak Prasad Ghimire