National Human Rights Commission to Submit Gen-Z Protest Report to Government Next Week

Kathmandu. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is preparing to submit the report prepared by the committee formed to investigate the Gen-Z protest incidents of Bhadau 23 and 24 to the government next week.

While questions have been raised regarding the implementation of the previous report submitted to the government by the commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, the NHRC is now set to submit the report of the investigation committee led by Lily Thapa.

The investigation committee submitted the report to the commission's chairperson, Tapa Bahadur Magar, on Chaitra 6. The commission is now set to recommend this report to the government for implementation.

"The 600-page report includes a detailed study of the incidents on both Bhadau 23 and 24, and recommends action against officials of the National Security Council for human rights violations," an NHRC source said. "The most we can do is recommend action."

If the commission recommends action for serious human rights violations, it could affect former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, security chiefs, security officers deployed in the field, the former Chief District Officer, and the former Home Secretary.

While the Karki Commission faced criticism for not investigating the events of Bhadau 24, sources say the Human Rights Commission has closely examined the role of Balendra Shah (Balen) regarding the events of that day.

Although no direct involvement of Balen Shah was found in the incidents that day, the Human Rights Commission source stated that a conclusion was reached after studying the statuses he wrote on social media.

"The commission has suggested through the report that the government and officials in responsible positions should be vigilant in the coming days," the source said.

According to sources, the commission's report concludes that it could not closely examine the events of Bhadau 23, and that the state used excessive force instead of responsibly protecting its citizens.

The commission also reportedly examined the roles of Gen-Z protest leaders and those leading on the streets. Sources say the preparations leading up to the protest on Bhadau 23 were also scrutinized.

"Messages and videos circulated on various social media platforms were also studied. In the process, efforts were made to closely examine findings such as instructions on how to make bombs on social media platforms like Discord, and the sharing of maps showing the locations of leaders' and businesspeople's homes and offices," the source said.

According to the commission, the investigation into the Bhadau 23 incident focused on repression and human rights violations, while the report on the Bhadau 24 incident focused on accountability and impunity.

The commission conducted the study through its mechanisms in Kathmandu and various districts. It also questioned security personnel deployed in the field on Bhadau 23 and 24 through the District Security Committee. The commission had also requested details from the Nepal Army.

The commission released a brief report on its monitoring of the Gen-Z protests on Ashoj 10. That report concluded that the government's failure to assess potential causes before the incident was a weakness. "Although the first day of the protest was peaceful in the morning, it turned violent after midday with incidents of arson and the firing of bullets at protesters, resulting in the deaths of some," the report stated. "Monitoring found that indiscriminate arson and vandalism occurred on the second day because protesters were killed by security forces' gunfire on the first day."

The commission directed the government to identify the causes of such violent incidents and create an environment to prevent them from recurring. On the day of the Gen-Z protests, the commission formed an investigation committee led by member Dr. Lily Thapa to proceed with the work.

On Bhadau 24, the commission issued a press release announcing the formation of the investigation team, demanding an end to the killing of individuals in the name of peace and security.

Questions over Rabi Lamichhane's role

An official from the commission stated that the commission has raised questions about the role of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and other leaders.

During the Gen-Z protests, Lamichhane was serving time in Nakkhu Prison in connection with a cooperative fraud case.

The commission has raised questions regarding the unrest on Bhadau 24, noting that problems emerged in prisons across the country after Rabi Lamichhane left Nakkhu Prison. It is said that the commission has questioned his role, suggesting that prisoners across the country were released because of him.

Statements taken from 90 people, including Balen

The commission prepared the report by focusing on whether human rights violations occurred and whether the state used excessive force during the protests, sources said.

The commission took statements from 90 people, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah. Additionally, 506 people were questioned during the study.

The commission took statements from officials of the National Security Council, the Inspector General of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, police commanders, and officials of the District Security Committee.

"We have studied in detail what everyone's responsibilities and roles were during the protests and how they fulfilled those responsibilities," said an official from the commission.

While government reports stated that 77 people died in the two-day incidents, sources say the commission's report shows only 76 deaths. Additionally, 2,429 people were reported injured.