Nepali security forces employed disproportionate and unnecessary lethal force during widespread protests that shook the country in September, according to a comprehensive investigation by Human Rights Watch. The detailed report documents numerous human rights violations during the month-long demonstrations against the government.
Excessive Force During September Uprising
The research conducted by Human Rights Watch reveals that security personnel used excessive and indiscriminate force against protesters throughout September. The organization documented at least 18 confirmed deaths directly linked to security force actions, with many victims suffering fatal injuries from shotgun pellets and live ammunition fired at close range.
Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the severity of the situation. "Security forces responded to largely peaceful protests with disproportionate and deadly force," she stated. The investigation found that security personnel frequently fired shotguns at protesters' upper bodies and heads despite the availability of less lethal alternatives.
Pattern of Human Rights Violations
Human Rights Watch researchers conducted extensive fieldwork across multiple districts between October and December, interviewing over 50 victims, witnesses, and family members. The evidence collected points to a consistent pattern of rights violations that extended beyond the use of excessive force.
The report documents numerous cases where security forces engaged in arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances. Many detainees reported being held incommunicado for extended periods without access to legal representation or family visits. Several interviewees described experiencing torture and other forms of ill-treatment while in custody.
Medical professionals interviewed for the investigation confirmed treating patients with severe injuries consistent with close-range firearm discharges. In several documented cases, security forces were accused of obstructing medical assistance to injured protesters, potentially contributing to preventable deaths.
Accountability and Justice Demands
The Human Rights Watch report calls for immediate and transparent investigations into all allegations of excessive force and human rights violations. The organization has urged Nepali authorities to suspend officers implicated in serious abuses pending thorough and impartial investigations.
International human rights law clearly establishes that security forces may use lethal force only when strictly unavoidable to protect life. The documented evidence suggests that Nepali security forces repeatedly violated this fundamental principle during the September protests.
Human Rights Watch has called upon the Nepali government to ensure that victims and their families receive adequate compensation and that those responsible for human rights violations face appropriate legal consequences. The organization also recommends comprehensive reforms to police and security force protocols regarding crowd control and use of force.
The report concludes that without meaningful accountability and institutional reforms, the cycle of violence and protest in Nepal is likely to continue, undermining the country's democratic foundations and respect for human rights.
