Yesterday, young people and students peacefully gathered to protest what they see as rising authoritarianism in Nepal. Their increasing frustration was met with lethal over policing that saw 19 protestors shot dead and hundreds more injured. We condemn the violent and disproportionate response to “Generation Z” demonstrations.

NUS-UK stands in firm solidarity with the young people of Nepal who are bravely protesting government corruption and the sweeping ban of social media platforms. The government’s decision to block 26 platforms, —including WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube, a direct attack on freedom of expression, silencing young people and cutting off their ability to connect, organise and mobilise. We are pleased they have now succeeded in having this ban lifted.

To the students and young activists in Nepal: your courage inspires us, and we stand with you. For Nepalese students due to arrive in the UK, we know that you may now face multiple complications, flights from Nepal are significantly disrupted and communications are limited. We want to ensure you can still come to the UK to study.

As a student movement, we stand with Nepal’s youth in their fight for justice, we join the call on global student communities to speak out, and we encourage member students’ unions to reach out to impacted Nepalese student communities already in the UK for support.

— National Union of Students – UK