Gen Z protests showed gaps in government risk preparedness: NHRC

KATHMANDU: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has concluded that the government failed to conduct a risk assessment ahead of the September 8–9 Gen Z protests, which contributed to the arson, vandalism and loss of life and property.

Issuing a statement on Friday, the NHRC said had there been adequate preparation, the likelihood of casualties from the violence that erupted on the afternoon of September 8 could have been reduced.

“The failure to assess risks in advance is a clear sign of government weakness. This undermined the morale of security personnel and added challenges to maintaining law and order,” the NHRC said in the statement

After 19 protesters were killed in police firing on September 8, arson and vandalism escalated the following day. Government offices, offices of political parties, private homes, commercial buildings, educational institutions, media houses and police stations suffered extensive damage.
The NHRC said the destruction of schools disrupted education and caused psychological distress in children.

The constitutional human rights watchdog has urged the government to boost the morale of security forces, strengthen law and order, immediately rebuild damaged government structures, assess losses to private property and ensure that such violence does not happen in the future.