Nepal's Universal Periodic Review: Reforms needed to safeguard media freedom
Summary
Despite constitutional guarantees, Nepal's media freedom faces growing challenges from restrictive laws, threats to journalists, and weak enforcement of protections ahead of the 2026 Universal Periodic Review.
Key Points
- Nepal's constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression are undermined by laws like the Electronic Transactions Act and proposed social media legislation.
- Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act criminalizes vague content, leading to arbitrary arrests and fines for journalists and critics.
- Between 2023 and 2025, over 70 journalists faced threats or attacks, with inadequate government action to protect them or investigate abuses.
- The interim government must repeal harmful laws, ensure independent media regulation, protect labor rights, and engage diplomatically in the 2026 UPR process.
