A group of Gen Z leaders has finalised a draft agreement to be signed with the government and submitted it to Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s advisors on Tuesday.

The draft states that the Gen Z uprising of September 8-9 was a political movement and urges the government to recognise it as a response to dissatisfaction with Nepal's democratic processes, lack of representation, and growing distrust in the governance structure, according to a copy received by the Post.

Several Gen Z groups contributed to the draft, which was submitted on behalf of the Nepal Gen Z Front. The government will now look into the nine-point draft agreement that aims to institutionalise and recognise the demands, public sentiment, and political message of the two-day ‘Gen Z revolt’. The draft was presented to the government through the prime minister’s advisors Ajaya Bhadra Khanal and Govinda Narayan Timilsina.

“This is not final, it will be revised,” said advisor Khanal, adding that they are still working on a common draft.

At the Prime Minister’s office, the draft was handed over by the front’s spokesperson, advocate Manish Khanal, in the presence of front coordinator Raksha Bam and members Yujan Rajbhandari, Aditya Karna, Ritu Khadka, Amrita Ban, and others.

According to advisor Khanal, the draft defines the political meaning of the revolt, the need for justice, and a direction towards a solution.

At the end of the decade-long Maoist insurgency, the then interim government and CPN (Maoist) had signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006, paving the way for the peace process, integration of Maoist combatants in national security forces, and elections to the Constituent Assembly.

In a similar fashion, various Gen Z groups have prepared a draft to sign with the government, if possible at the level of the President or the prime minister.

Clarifying that the uprising was a call for civil expression and social justice, focussed on anti-corruption, transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, the draft describes the uprising as a collective expression of dissatisfaction beyond party lines, and as a search for political innovation.

Acknowledging the use of digital platforms, cultural symbols, and creative expressions by protesters as forms of civic and political engagement, the draft further calls for respect and justice for those killed and injured, and the need for remembrance.

It demands that protesters and civilians who lost their lives during the September 8-9 revolt be declared martyrs, and the government coordinate with martyr families and the injured to address their immediate needs, including relief and free healthcare services.

It also calls for addressing the long-term needs of martyr families and the injured by forming an independent, impartial commission with Gen Z representation to come up with policies for remembrance and support, and to ensure implementation of its recommendations.

The Gen Z leaders have also demanded investigation, prosecution, and institutional reform regarding the incidents of September protests in which seventy-six people were killed. On September 8, the first day of the protests, 19 unarmed demonstrators, mostly young students, were killed, and violent demonstrations spread across the country the following day and forced out the KP Oli-led coalition government. On September 12, with the backing of Gen Z youths, an interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was formed with a mandate to hold snap elections on March 5.

The draft accord calls on the commission formed by the government to conduct a prompt, fair, and effective investigation, and to recommend prosecution and punishment for those responsible from the state side for killings and other human rights violations during the uprising. It stresses that, in line with transitional justice principles, the commission should differentiate between actions by protesters and those by individuals or groups involved in organised criminal acts, and recommend prosecution for organised crimes.

The Gen Z groups have also demanded that the government identify the root causes of unjust use of force and unlawful actions by Nepal’s security forces during various uprisings, including the Gen Z Uprising, and to implement institutional reforms to prevent recurrence.

They have also called for prompt, fair investigations into corruption, abuse of authority and unexplained wealth of political leaders, appointed officials, and those elected or nominated to government positions, and launch legal action against the guilty.

“To end corruption, political party dominance, and patronage in appointments, the government should form a working group with Gen Z and youth representation to study necessary reforms and propose amendments to existing laws to ensure effective implementation of those reforms,” reads the draft.

The draft further urges the government to facilitate voter registration for eligible Gen Z members and other citizens who have yet to be registered, with necessary resources made available in coordination with a working group that includes Gen Z and youth representatives. It also calls for voting rights for Nepali citizens living abroad.

Likewise, the Gen Z leaders have demanded thorough investigations into the assets and sources of political parties, nationalisation of illegally acquired assets, and transparency in party expenses ahead of March elections. They have also called for amending election-related laws to guarantee free, fair, and peaceful elections.

On constitution amendment, the Gen Z groups have proposed forming a high-level, independent committee to review and recommend amendments to the Constitution of Nepal. The committee should ensure national sovereignty, democracy, equality, inclusion, and good governance, implement anti-corruption measures, and reflect the people’s modern aspirations.

They have also stressed inclusiveness and proposed that the government, Council of Ministers and bodies created under the new accord reflect gender, ethnic, and social diversity through equal and participatory representation of women, Dalits, indigenous groups, Madhesis, Tharus, Muslims, marginalised communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ persons, farmers, workers, and economically disadvantaged citizens. They have recommended forming an expert advisory group including Gen Z and youth, to ensure representation of their interests.

Moreover, the draft calls on the government to make its actions, decisions, and expenditures open, ensuring transparency in all processes, mechanisms, and procedures. It further states that the government should not impose any illegal regulations, bans, or censorship on internet and digital communications, and create necessary legal, physical, and technical safeguards to protect freedom of expression and communication.

The draft advises the government to prevent any illegal surveillance or misuse of citizens’ digital data by the state or third parties, and ensure legal, physical, and technical safeguards for privacy.