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Nepal

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

June 2025

Electronic Transaction Act used to target journalist in cybercrime case

In June, Nepali police attempted to arrest prominent journalist Dil Bhushan Pathak for reporting on a government official's family business dealings overseas on his YouTube channel. The Kathmandu District Court issued an arrest warrant on 11 June under the Electronic Transaction Act, which is intended to regulate online transactions and combat money laundering. However, it has often been used to suppress online dissent. Although the Patan High Court blocked the arrest on 16 June, the police ignored the order and summoned Pathak the following day. On the same day the arrest warrant was issued, the Kathmandu District Court ordered two news outlets to remove content related to separate business dealings from another official under the same Act. Press freedom advocates warn that this situation illustrates a growing pattern of legal harassment and the misuse of laws to silence dissent.

Sources: IFJ, Human Rights WatchNepali Times, The Kathmandu Post (1) The Kathmandu Post (2)

May 2025

Transitional justice commission appointments face scrutiny
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On 14 May 2025, the government appointed 10 officials to lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, aimed at addressing human rights abuses committed during the 1996-2006 armed conflict. Despite being established nearly a decade ago, the bodies were without leadership for the past two years. The government’s passage of the transitional justice law in 2024 allowed for new leadership appointments to be made. However, rights groups and victims have criticized the selection process for being politically influenced and lacking transparency, with no public consultation. Conflict victims have urged the government to correct the flawed process or risk undermining the justice effort altogether. Although no direct response to these concerns have been given, officials have expressed that they are committed to ensuring justice for victims and urged citizens to trust in the process and commissioners.

Sources: International IDEAThe Kathmandu Post (1), The Kathmandu Post (2), Human Rights Watch, The Kathmandu Post (3)

March 2025

Pro-monarchy protests turn violent

On 28 March, protests demanding the restoration of the monarchy turned violent, resulting in at least two deaths and over 112 injured. While calls to reinstate the monarchy in Nepal are not new, these clashes were the most severe since 2015. Political analysts noted that various motivations fuelled the protests. Although support for the monarchy remains limited, the protests reflect widespread public dissatisfaction with governance and political instability.  In response, the government imposed a curfew and deployed the military to restore order. Several protest leaders were arrested on charges of instigating violence. Political experts have criticized security officials for being unprepared and failing to contain the unrest. It remains unclear as to who is responsible for the deadly violence, with a government investigation ongoing.  

Sources:  The Kathmandu Post, New York Times, The Annapurna Express, The Diplomat, Frontline Magazine 

February 2025

Controversial laws threaten freedom of the press and expression
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On 10 February, the National Assembly passed the Media Council Bill 2080, aimed at enhancing the accountability and credibility of print and digital journalism in Nepal. The bill replaces the Press Council with the Media Council, tasked with regulating media conduct and advising the government on media policy. However, media professionals and rights advocates have criticized a contentious provision requiring a government-appointed chairperson in the 11-member council, warning that it compromises the council’s independence. Separately, Nepal’s government introduced the Social Media Act Bill on 9 February to regulate social media platforms and users through stricter registration requirements, penalties and content management. Free speech advocates have urged the government to amend and withdraw both bills due to concerns that they could undermine press freedom and digital expression.

Sources: The Kathmandu Post, IFEX, International Federation of Journalists, My Republica

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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2024

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Representation
62/173
Rights
70/173
Rule of Law
78/173
Participation
73/173

Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
29 694 614
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli (since 2024)
Head of government party
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Parallel
Women in lower or single chamber
33.5%
Women in upper chamber
37.3%
Last legislative election
2022
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
5.89
Head of state
President Ram Chandra Poudel
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly + regional/local representatives)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
21/01/2021
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
84.12%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
No Action
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
No Action
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

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Representation neutral Rights
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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

Hover over the trend lines to see the exact data points across the years

Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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