Youth-led protests in Nepal on September 8, 2025, escalated into deadly confrontations as security forces used disproportionate and indiscriminate force against demonstrators. Human Rights Watch reported that police opened fire multiple times over several hours, killing seventeen protesters in Kathmandu who had gathered to oppose corruption and a sweeping social media ban. The crackdown occurred without clear warnings, and many victims were shot in the head, chest, or abdomen. Hospitals in the capital received hundreds of injured people, including gunshot victims and those hurt by tear gas and kinetic impact projectiles. Witness testimony and verified footage showed no imminent threats that would justify lethal force.
The next day, September 9, violence spread across Kathmandu and other areas as anger over the killings fueled further unrest. Groups of people, including some not linked to the original “Gen Z” protest, attacked and burned government buildings, police stations, schools, media offices, and private property. Mobs assaulted politicians, journalists, and bystanders, while security forces often failed to intervene. Three police officers were beaten to death, weapons were looted from police stations, and thousands of prisoners were freed after jails were overrun. Several attacks appeared targeted, leading to suspicions that infiltrators connected to political groups may have instigated parts of the violence.
The interim government led by former chief justice Sushila Karki took over after the prime minister resigned amid the chaos. It established a judicial commission to investigate the deaths of at least 76 people nationwide over two days, including 47 in Kathmandu. Human Rights Watch emphasized that the commission must act transparently and hold all perpetrators accountable, including security forces who unlawfully used lethal force. Witness accounts also highlighted severe procedural failures by police, who did not issue warnings and violated international standards governing the use of firearms.
Evidence gathered by Human Rights Watch included interviews with over 50 witnesses and experts, analysis of 50 videos from the protests and arson attacks, and visits to hospitals and affected sites. Much of the violence on the second day showed signs of coordination, such as targeted arson at politicians’ homes, Ullens School, major media houses, the Supreme Court, and key government offices in Singha Durbar. Some attackers allegedly disabled CCTV cameras and used weapons and fuel to intensify destruction. The presidential palace and prime minister’s residence were also burned, while security forces remained largely absent or ineffective.
The roots of the unrest lay in growing frustration among young Nepalis over corruption, inequality, and the government’s attempt to silence criticism through a ban on 26 social media platforms. The protest was largely peaceful at first, organized rapidly through Discord and other online communities despite the government ban. Organizers described a hopeful, energetic atmosphere before police barricades were overrun and security forces escalated the situation by resorting to excessive force. The failure to manage the protest safely, combined with longstanding impunity for rights abuses, contributed to the rapid breakdown of order.
By the night of September 9, the army was deployed and discussions between Gen Z representatives and political leaders led to an agreement to dissolve parliament and form an interim government. Human Rights Watch urged Nepali authorities to confront past patterns of impunity, ensure transparent investigations, and carry out meaningful security sector reforms. The organization stressed that accountability is essential to prevent similar outbreaks of deadly violence in the future.
