The National Human Rights Commission has urged the government to be serious about resolving the problems seen in detention centers across the country.
Commission spokesperson Dr. Tikaram Pokharel issued a press release on November 16, 2025, stating that challenges to security have increased as detainees who escaped during the ‘Gen-Z’ protests and the looted weapons have not yet been recovered, and urged the government to address the issues.
“The absence of the escaped detainees and the failure to recover the looted weapons during the Gen-Z protests have added challenges to peace and security,” the statement said. “Information has been received that there is a lack of budget for reconstructing the physical structures damaged during the protests and for essential materials needed for detainees in custody. The Commission urges the government to be serious in resolving these overall problems existing in detention centers.”
The Commission stated that its team monitored the condition of detention cells within the Kathmandu Valley on 13 and 14 November. During this period, on-site monitoring was conducted regarding the human rights situation of detainees and the physical condition of detention facilities at the police circles of Sohrakhutte, Swayambhu, Koteshwor, Singha Durbar, Maharajgunj, and Kalimati in Kathmandu, the District Police Office and Satdobato Circle in Lalitpur; and the District Police Office, Jagati, Madhyapur, and Thimi police circles in Bhaktapur.
It was also stated that monitoring of detention centers outside the Valley has begun through the Commission’s provincial and provincial branch offices.
The Commission noted that, according to police statements, some individuals were arrested during the protests based on evidence of criminal activities.
“The Commission found that most police physical structures were damaged during the Gen-Z protests, that some structures have been rebuilt and brought into operation with the support of local communities, and that some detainees who escaped from detention have still not returned,” the statement said. “It was found that police personnel were also injured, their morale weakened, some police office files were burned and destroyed, and weapons were looted.”
The Commission stated that after the Gen-Z protests, complaints, petitions, and memorandums concerning the human rights situation in police custody were received. It was found that the detained protesters underwent health check-ups, and that foul odor was present in detention centers due to a lack of toilets and sanitation facilities.
Some detainees complained to the Commission’s team that they were not given arrest warrants at the time of detention. Others reported the absence of women’s cells and lack of proper physical infrastructure in the detention centers.