Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission has found that former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and two of his ministers bore responsibility for human rights violations during the Gen Z protests of September 2025. The commission investigated events on 8 and 9 September last year and concluded that, alongside Oli, then-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and then-Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung had violated human rights.
The report found that Oli disregarded advice from fellow ministers urging the immediate lifting of a social media ban, and that his inaction over the deployment of the army contributed directly to the violations that followed. Lekhak was told he could not escape responsibility by denying he had ordered police to open fire, whilst Gurung was held accountable for issuing directives that restricted constitutionally protected rights through the platform ban.
Noting that Nepal currently has no dedicated legislation covering human rights violators, the commission recommended a new law with provisions for up to six months’ imprisonment, fines of up to Rs 300,000 (€1,683 approximately), or both, with such cases to be heard by a special court. Those found responsible would also be barred from standing for election or holding political appointments for at least five years.