Anti-Trafficking Day 2026

Nepali Congress amended its party statute to include the Gen Z movement of September 8-9, 2025 in the preamble. The revision cites demands for good governance, a corruption-free state structure, and stronger youth representation.

Coverage said rival political forces remain split over whether to remember September 8 as a deadly state crackdown or September 9 as a day of destruction and violence. Rights bodies and the Karki-led inquiry commission have recommended investigations into both days, but the findings remain largely unimplemented.

A Gen Z movement commentary said Nepal’s new government must deliver transparency, accountability, and institutional reform rather than slogans. It argued unresolved questions over violence, security force conduct, and destruction from the unrest still define the movement’s mandate.

Tourism businesses estimated that the Gen Z protest caused about Rs 80 billion in losses, citing canceled bookings, damaged hotels and restaurants, and a sharp drop in tourist arrivals. They called for updated laws, better infrastructure, and a more investment-friendly environment.

A retrospective said the Gen Z movement began with protests over a social media ban and anger over corruption, nepotism, unemployment, and weak public services. It said the unrest toppled K.P. Sharma Oli’s government, led to an interim administration under Sushila Karki, and later reshaped parliamentary power.

An editorial said Nepal’s first Gen Z Martyrs’ Day marked the 76 people killed in the September 8–9, 2025 protests and should be treated as a call for accountability and justice. It urged the government to explain how the dead were counted and to ensure proper trials for those arrested.

Families of Gen Z protest victims gathered at the Federal Parliament building in New Baneshwar for lamp-lighting, wreaths, and prayers on the first Gen Z Martyrs’ Day. The memorial program was organized by the Gen Z Martyrs Welfare Society and attended by ministers, lawmakers, and other representatives.

Several anniversary articles reviewed the Gen Z movement, saying it began with anger over a social media ban, corruption, unemployment, and weak governance. They said the protests killed more than 70 people, forced KP Sharma Oli to resign, and reshaped Nepal’s political landscape.

Coverage said the Gen Z protest began at Maitighar Mandala and spread to major cities, with police using water cannons, tear gas, and gunfire. The first day left 19 dead and more than 422 seriously injured, prompting the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and the lifting of a ban on 26 social media platforms.

Martyr families and injured protesters marked the first anniversary of the Gen Z uprising at the former parliament building in New Baneshwar, Kathmandu. Speakers criticized Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s absence and said the government had not fulfilled promises on justice and support.

Gen Z leaders said the movement’s first anniversary had brought political change but not accountability, justice for victims, or implementation of the 10-point agreement. They accused the new government of repeating old practices and failing to support martyrs’ families or the injured.

Home Minister Sudan Gurung described September 8, 2025, as “the day the country died” at a Gen Z Martyrs’ Memorial Day event in Kathmandu. He said young protesters were killed by state forces and pledged to fulfill the younger generation’s demands.

Om Prakash Aryal said the Gen Z uprising changed Nepal’s politics and brought younger voices into the mainstream, but key promises such as the Gen Z council remain unfinished. He also said no case had yet been filed against former prime minister KP Sharma Oli or former home minister Ramesh Lekhak over the September 8-9 crackdown.

Nepal Governance Watch Group called for the immediate release of investigation reports on the Gen Z movement, including the commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki. It also urged action against those responsible for deaths, violence, arson, and looting during the September 8–9, 2025 unrest.

A Gen Z Martyrs Memorial Day event was held in Baneshwar, Kathmandu, with government ministers and organizers in attendance. The program commemorated the 76 people who died during last year’s Gen Z movement.

Nepal marked Gen Z Martyrs Day as a public holiday a year after the youth-led protests that toppled the government. Coverage said the anniversary renewed scrutiny of promised reforms on corruption, accountability and jobs.

Families of youths killed in the Gen Z movement gathered in Kathmandu on the first anniversary and renewed calls for justice, jobs, education support, and memorials. Some relatives in Nepalgunj and Arghakhanchi also pressed for action against those who opened fire.

Nepal began observing the first Gen Z Martyrs Day with special programs nationwide and a public holiday. The day commemorates those killed in last year’s Gen Z movement that toppled the previous government and led to a caretaker administration.

Nepalis marked the first Gen Z Martyrs’ Day on September 8, with young people and families saying the holiday should honor those killed in the 2025 protests. Speakers also urged the government to deliver accountability, good governance, and anti-corruption reforms.

A year after Nepal’s Gen Z uprising, reports said many immediate commitments such as martyr recognition, compensation, and victim support had been implemented, but deeper institutional and legal reforms were still pending. Accountability for the September 8–9 violence also remained unresolved.

Nepal laid the foundation stone for a Gen-Z Martyrs Memorial Park with a statue and pillar at the Federal Parliament premises in Singhadurbar, Kathmandu. The government also said September 8 would be observed as a public holiday for Gen-Z Martyrs’ Day.

Minister Sita Badi marked the 20th National Day against Trafficking in Persons with a call for collective action from government, security agencies, civil society, media, and the public. She said technology, awareness, stronger coordination, and the National Policy against Human Trafficking, 2082 BS are part of the response, while an anti-trafficking amendment bill is under parliamentary consideration.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah called for coordinated action by federal, provincial, and local governments to fight human trafficking and smuggling. He said Nepal is updating laws and policies, including a bill to amend the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, 2007, to align with the Palermo Protocol.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged cooperation among federal, provincial and local bodies to combat human trafficking and smuggling. He said Nepal is pursuing legal and institutional reforms, including a bill to amend trafficking law in line with the Palermo Protocol.