Amnesty seeks fair, Impartial probe into unlawful killings during Nepal’s Gen-Z Protests

Dec 10, 2025

Kathmandu (Nepal), Dec 09 (ANI): Amnesty International has called for a fair and impartial investigation into the alleged unlawful killing of protesters across Nepal during the youth-led 'Gen-Z' demonstrations in September, urging accountability for all those responsible. The human rights organisation said that widespread failures by Nepal's law enforcement agencies in handling the protests resulted in 'unlawful killings', citing what it described as the "unnecessary and excessive use of force." On Monday, Amnesty International released an investigative report titled "We went there to raise our voice, not to be killed," detailing the alleged atrocities committed during the Gen-Z protests. The report documents the 'deadly' crackdown on largely peaceful demonstrators in Kathmandu on September 8, during which security forces allegedly used escalating and ultimately lethal force, including live ammunition. According to the organisation, security forces used water cannons, sometimes deploying high-pressure jets at close range, raising serious concerns over necessity and proportionality under international human rights norms. Amnesty International says such misuse of less-lethal weapons violates international standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, the UN Human Rights Guidance on Less-Lethal Weapons, and Nepal's Local Administration Act. The report concludes that Amnesty International did not find any circumstances indicating an imminent threat of death or serious injury that could justify the lethal force used.