Youth Groups Demand Release of Protesters, Citing Unimplemented Agreement

Kathmandu. Various youth groups and activists have issued a joint press release demanding the immediate release of prisoners of the Janji People's Movement. They have drawn the government's attention to the issue of hundreds of youths arrested during the movement still being held in various cases.

According to the press release, the historic Janji People's Movement held on Bhadra 23 and 24 was a citizen's voice raised by the youth for good governance and democratic rights. However, state excessive force and repression at that time resulted in the deaths of dozens of protesters, thousands injured, and hundreds arrested. 

The youth groups have expressed objection to the filing of over 900 cases against youths solely on the basis of their participation in the movement, demanding millions in reparations and years of imprisonment. They consider this move a serious violation of the freedom of thought, expression, and peaceful demonstration guaranteed by Article 17 of the constitution.

Furthermore, the press release states that this style of the state has made a mockery of the rights to equality, justice, freedom from torture, and the rights of women and children, as ensured by Articles 18, 20, 24, 38, and 39 of the constitution.

Previously, a 10-point agreement was reached between the Government of Nepal and representatives of the Janji movement on Mangsir 24. The decision, published in the Nepal Gazette, clearly committed under points 2(c) and (d) to screen and investigate the protesters within 15 days and immediately release those not involved in serious crimes from custody or prison, and to withdraw cases. However, activists have expressed anger that the government has not implemented this agreement even months after it was signed. 

Due to the non-implementation of the agreement, the victim families of the detainees have been forced to continuously protest and picket at Maitighar Mandala for the past 18 days. The press release states that in a democratic state system, citizens' peaceful dissent cannot be a crime, and the attempt to suppress the voice of the youth through detention, imprisonment, and political revenge raises serious questions about the rule of law and the spirit of human rights.

Expressing solidarity with the people's movement, all Janji youth groups have jointly put forward various demands to the government. They demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees arrested during the movement and the immediate withdrawal of all cases related to freedom of expression and political rights. Their main demand is also the full and effective implementation of the 10-point agreement reached between the Government of Nepal and the protesting parties. 

The youth have also raised the demand for an independent and impartial investigation into incidents of excessive force, extrajudicial repression, and human rights violations during the movement. Special assurance of the rights and security of women, students, and minor detainees in custody and prison should be ensured, and the government is urged to create an environment where illegal repression, excessive force, and political revenge on peaceful protests are not repeated in the future.

The press release warns that if the state remains indifferent to these just and constitutional demands, all protesting Janji youth groups will be forced to announce further strengthened and peaceful protest programs.