Human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council have raised serious concerns about the forced eviction and displacement of thousands of residents from informal settlements along riverside areas in Kathmandu. The Nepali government initiated the removal of these settlements by demolishing houses, a move that has sparked mixed reactions from society. Following the evictions, affected families have been relocated to temporary housing centers in the Kathmandu Valley.
The recent actions of Nepal’s new government have drawn criticism from both domestic and international human rights organizations. In a statement released through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the experts expressed deep worries about the forceful eviction of individuals residing along the riverbanks in Kathmandu. They highlighted that the evictions may breach Nepal’s international human rights obligations and constitutional protections, emphasizing the need for strict safeguards during such processes.
The experts pointed out that the authorities in Nepal provided only a 24-hour notice to residents in various settlements in Kathmandu before swiftly carrying out demolitions. This lack of adequate notice and consultation fails to meet the standards required for such actions, according to the experts. Evictions have continued in several areas of Kathmandu, with reports of casualties during the demolition drive. Prime Minister Shah, in a recent social media post, assured the public that the government’s actions aim to protect citizens’ housing rights and find sustainable solutions, urging people to refrain from misinformation and panic.
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Commission of Jurists have collectively expressed concerns over the forced evictions and legislative measures taken by the new government. They have called on the government to prioritize human rights, the rule of law, transitional justice, and minority rights in its decision-making processes.
