On 8 September 2025, the Government of Nepal imposed a sweeping ban on more than 25 social media platforms — including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and X. This decision represents a deliberate attempt to silence public voices speaking out against corruption, restrict access to information, and undermine democratic freedoms.

When citizens — many of them young people — peacefully protested this silencing of dissent, security forces responded with disproportionate force. Independent reports confirm that at least 19 people have been killed and hundreds more injured. Curfews have been declared, and the army has been deployed against civilians.

These actions raise serious concerns under international human rights law, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and protection from excessive use of force.

We call on:

The Government of Nepal to immediately lift restrictions on social media, end attempts to silence anti-corruption voices, safeguard the right to peaceful assembly, and engage in constructive dialogue with its citizens.
The UK Government and Parliament to publicly express concern over these violations and stand in support of democratic freedoms in Nepal.
The United Nations and international human rights organisations to closely monitor the situation, investigate reported abuses, and press for accountability.

The people of Nepal — especially its youth — are courageously defending their right to speak and assemble freely. They must not face violence or repression for exercising those rights.

We, the global community and the Nepali diaspora, stand in solidarity with the people of Nepal. We urge all concerned to sign and share this petition in support of peaceful change, the restoration of freedoms, and the protection of democracy.

#StandWithNepal #DefendHumanRights #RestoreFreedom #ProtectPeacefulProtest #NepaliDiaspora