KATHMANDU, Dec 10: The government formed following the Gen-Z protests on September 8–9 and representatives of the Gen-Z movement reached a 10-point historic agreement on Wednesday.
The accord, which addresses the youth movement’s demands against corruption, misgovernance, impunity and social exclusion, has been hailed as a significant step towards governance reform.
Under the agreement, those who lost their lives during the protests will be declared martyrs. Relief and compensation will be provided to the injured and the families of martyrs, along with access to free healthcare, education, employment, and long-term social security. A memorial will also be constructed to honour their contributions.
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The agreement calls for an impartial investigation into the excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings and serious human rights violations that occurred during the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9. A high-level inquiry commission will be granted an expanded mandate and any officials found guilty will face legal action regardless of their position. It was also clarified that no criminal proceedings will be initiated solely for participation in the movement.
A further key provision addresses political and policy-level corruption. A separate high-level commission will be established to examine the lifestyle and unaccounted wealth of public officials, partisan appointments and the politicisation of public institutions. The agreement includes measures to seize undisclosed assets and place them under state ownership.
The accord also outlines measures to ensure that all upcoming elections are free, fair, peaceful, and secure. These include provisions for overseas voting, mandatory candidate asset declarations, financial transparency of political parties, the introduction of a ‘NOTA’ (None of The Above) option, primary elections within parties, term limits for party leaders and reforms to the electoral system.
A ‘Constitutional Amendment Suggestion Commission’ comprising experts, youth representatives, and stakeholders will be formed to review the constitution’s implementation and recommend necessary amendments. The commission will provide guidance on inclusive representation, separation of powers, term limits, minimum age of election candidate and institutional autonomy.
The agreement also reaffirms commitments to protect digital and freedom of expression rights, safeguard citizen data, and develop a transparent governance system. To ensure meaningful youth participation, a ‘Gen-Z Council’ will be established.
Both sides have pledged to implement the agreement honestly and effectively. The accord, signed by representatives of the government and the Gen-Z movement, came into effect on December 10.
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