Nepal - August 2024

On 22 August, Nepal's National Assembly passed a bill amending the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act to address human rights abuses committed during the 1996-2006 armed conflict. During the conflict, both the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and government forces committed atrocities, including widespread torture, rape, killings and disappearances. The law will assist in addressing these crimes, offer victim reparations, and potentially allow reduced sentences for remorseful and cooperative perpetrators. The new law brings new appointments to Nepal’s two transnational justice bodies - the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons - established nearly a decade ago but without leadership for the past two years, during which thousands of families have awaited justice. While the United Nations and European Union praised the law as an important milestone towards accountability, human rights experts argue that many of the law's provisions remain vague, fall short of international standards in classifying war crimes and addressing torture, and are too lenient on perpetrators. Rights advocates have urged the government to close these "accountability gaps" to ensure the law's effective implementation.

Note: An earlier version of this report suggested that a new investigative commission was established. The report has been corrected to note that two existing commissions will be able to have new leaders appointed.

Sources: The Kathmandu Post, Deutsche Welle, Nepali Times, Human Rights Watch, United Nations, The Diplomat

On 22 August, the Nepalese government lifted a nationwide ban on the social media platform TikTok. The ban was first imposed in November 2023 by the previous government, citing concerns over its disruptive effect on “social harmony, goodwill and flow of indecent materials.” Rights advocates had widely criticized the ban as an attack on freedom of expression and speech. The government has said that TikTok and all social media platforms may operate, given that they comply with the rules and regulations set out in the ‘Directive on the Operation of Social Networking 2023,’ which includes paying taxes and opening a liaison office in the country.

Sources: International IDEA, The Kathmandu Post, The Associated Press