A/HRC/61/41/Add.1 media platforms. The protests, which spread beyond the Kathmandu valley, were fuelled by the frustration about the deteriorating youth unemployment crisis, nepotism, weak governance, the lack of economic opportunities and rising economic inequalities linked to corruption in Nepal.10 International human rights organizations report that security forces used disproportionate force against protestors, including the use of live ammunition, tear gas and water cannons.11 It was reported that, according to the Ministry of Health and Population, at least 72 people were killed during the protests, while 2,113 people were injured.12 From an analysis of the surnames of the 42 civilian victims who were named as martyrs by the Government,13 approximately 50 per cent of them had names suggesting a minority or Dalit background. At least two out of the three police officers who died had names suggesting a minority or Dalit background. Many public properties and government buildings were severely damaged, in Kathmandu and other areas of the country, including the Singha Durbar Palace, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Federal Parliament Building. 14 Following the resignation of the Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, and the dissolution of parliament, 15 an interim government led by the former Chief Justice, Sushila Karki, was established. She is the first woman to hold the position. Elections are planned for March 2026. 16 IV. Ethnic, linguistic and religious minority communities 11. Nepal prides itself on being a diverse nation through its “multi-ethnic, multilingual, multireligious and multicultural characteristics”, as stated in its Constitution. 17 Its demographic makeup is indeed rich and diverse, in ethnicity, religion and language. According to the 2015 Constitution, minorities are considered “ethnic, linguistic and religious groups whose population is less than the percentage specified by the federal law and include groups that have distinct ethnic, religious or linguistic characteristics and aspirations to protect such features and are subjected to discrimination and oppression”.18 According to the most recent official census, conducted in 2021, there are 142 different castes and ethnicities.19 Approximately one third of the population is Indigenous, according to the 2021 census, while, according to Minority Rights International, Indigenous organizations indicate that the number is closer to 50 per cent of the total population. 20 Indigenous ethnic groups, known as Janajatis, include Newars, Tharu, Magar, Tamang, Gurung, Rai and Limbu.21 Comprising 20 per cent of the total population, Madhesis are another ethnic and linguistic minority, which reside in the southern plains along with other minority groups. 22 12. While Nepali is the official language of Nepal and accounts as the mother tongue for 44.86 per cent of the population, according to the 2021 census, approximately 124 different 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 4 See https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/09/09/gen-z-protests-against-corruption-and-socialmedia-ban-spread-across-country; and A/HRC/WG.6/51/NPL/1, para. 155. See www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/12/nepal-government-must-ensure-accountability-forunlawful-killings-and-use-of-force-during-gen-zprotests/#:~:text=Widespread%20failings%20by%20Nepal’s%20law,said%20in%20a%20new%20bri efing; https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/11/19/nepal-unlawful-use-of-force-during-gen-z-protest. See www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/death-toll-nepals-anti-corruption-protests-raised-72-202509-14/. See https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/11/04/45-who-died-in-gen-z-movement-declaredmartyrs. See https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/09/10/historical-buildings-and-vital-national-recordsdestroyed. See www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0m4vjwrdwgo. See https://gadebate.un.org/en/80/nepal. Article 3. See https://ag.gov.np/files/Constitution-of-Nepal_2072_Eng_www.moljpa.gov_.npDate72_11_16.pdf. Article 306. See https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/files/resultfolder/Caste%20Ethnicity_report_NPHC_2021.pdf. See https://minorityrights.org/country/nepal/. See https://mondediplo.com/2025/11nepal-box. Ibid. GE.26-01953