International human rights organizations on Thursday called on Nepal’s newly elected government, led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, to take immediate steps to strengthen human rights protections and uphold the rule of law following its recent electoral victory.
In a joint letter, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Commission of Jurists urged the government, formed by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), to translate public demands for reform into concrete legal and institutional changes. The groups emphasized that the new administration has a “critical opportunity” to address longstanding concerns over accountability, judicial independence, and protection of fundamental freedoms.
Nepal’s recent political shift follows months of youth-led protests in 2025, triggered by government restrictions on digital platforms and broader dissatisfaction with corruption and governance failures. The demonstrations, which resulted in 77 deaths, have since become a focal point for ongoing demands for accountability, with rights advocates urging authorities to investigate alleged excessive use of force and prosecute those responsible.
Observers note that these concerns are part of a longer pattern. Since the end of Nepal’s civil conflict in 2006, successive governments have faced criticism for failing to deliver justice for serious human rights violations committed during the war. Although the Comprehensive Peace Accord laid the foundation for a transitional justice process, implementation has remained inconsistent, with commissions often criticized for political interference and lack of independence.
The concerns raised by the organizations also span a broader range of ongoing human rights issues in Nepal, including delays in the transitional justice process, lack of accountability for recent protest-related deaths, and risks to judicial independence. They also pointed to persistent structural challenges such as caste-based discrimination despite existing legal protections, gender-based violence and child marriage, and gaps in safeguarding minority rights, including for LGBTI individuals.
Concerns over civil liberties remain significant, particularly in relation to freedom of expression and media regulation, as past restrictions on digital platforms and evolving legal frameworks governing online content continue to raise fears of potential misuse to curb dissent. Social protection gaps, including limited coverage of programs such as the Child Grant, alongside longstanding challenges involving the protection of migrant workers facing exploitation abroad and the rights of displaced and refugee populations, further underscore the need for comprehensive legal and institutional reform.
Against this backdrop, the joint appeal by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Commission of Jurists underscores broader concerns that have been raised over many years by both domestic and international actors. More recently, attention has turned to institutional governance and the balance of power. Constitutional experts have suggested that the task force formed to prepare a debate paper for constitutional amendment should prepare a common resolution to improve everything from the judiciary to the electoral system and move forward with it. Critics argue that such moves risk weakening oversight institutions at a time when public trust in governance remains fragile.
Recent developments have also drawn attention to forced evictions in Kathmandu, where authorities have cleared informal riverbank settlements affecting hundreds of households across multiple areas. While officials state that relocation and verification processes are underway, rights observers have raised concerns regarding housing rights, due process, and the adequacy of rehabilitation measures.
The organizations called on the government to take concrete steps to ensure judicial independence, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and deliver accountability for both historical and recent abuses. The government has not yet publicly responded.
