KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 10
Three months after the Gen Z revolution, the Gen Z representatives and the government signed a 10-point agreement today.
Family members of those injured and martyred during the Gen Z revolution were also present during the meeting at Singha Durbar's Sagarmatha Hall, where Prime Minister Sushila Karki and representatives from the Gen Z movement signed the agreement.
Gen Z leader Purushotam Yadav told THT that an agreement had been reached on 10 points.
"This document will serve as the blueprint for the country and constitution," PM Karki said while speaking during the meeting. "We also wish that youth would take charge of the country. Thus, we are here today to endorse the document which will be published in the Nepal Gazette. This document is as strong as any other document which was signed in the past over the course of time."
The agreement formally recognises the Gen Z movement as a 'people's movement'.
According to the agreement, the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 was motivated by public discontent and frustration over the country's failure to address conflicts caused by structural causes such as corruption, inefficiency, impunity, discrimination, exclusion, socioeconomic inequality and injustice in a timely manner.
The agreement described the dissolved House of Representatives as an 'assembly that has lost public trust'. Furthermore, the agreement acknowledges that the election date was announced based on the strength of the Gen Z movement.
The 10-point agreement with Gen Z protesters also calls for the formation of a task force to amend the constitution and reform the electoral system.
It addresses a wide range of issues, including those concerning the events of the Gen Z People's Movement. The first point discusses ensuring compensation for the families of martyrs and injured.
The second point includes the mandate of the commission formed to investigate the September 8 and 9 incidents, which states that it will 'recommend criminal accountability by investigating allegations of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, with no discrimination'.
Similarly, the agreement states that those who are involved in the investigation because of their participation in the movement will be screened within 15 days, and if they are not found to be involved in serious crimes, they will be immediately released from detention, and the case will be recommended to be withdrawn based on the commission's findings.
The agreement also calls for the formation of a high-level commission to investigate issues such as political, policy and institutional corruption, partisanship in public institutions, and the elimination of party-based appointments. It also mentions conducting free, fair and peaceful elections.
The agreement also specifies the inter-district voting system, which would allow temporary residents to vote in the upcoming March 5 election from the district in which they currently reside.
Additionally, it states that the process of creating institutional, legal, and policy frameworks will be advanced in order to guarantee the voting rights of individuals residing overseas.
The agreement also states that the current laws will be amended immediately to reform the electoral system and that the option 'None of the Above' will be included on the ballot.
In addition, the agreement states that a high-level Constitution Amendment Suggestion Commission will be formed with the participation of stakeholders, including independent experts, Gen Z and youth, to identify, study and analyse constitutional, legal and institutional reform issues before submitting a report with recommendations.
It also states that the mechanisms established under the pact will ensure inclusiveness to the maximum extent possible.
Furthermore, it mentions that a Gen Z Council will be formed to assist, advise and guide the government in its governance operations in accordance with the spirit of the Gen Z movement. It has also been mentioned that the pact will take effect on the date of signing by representatives of both parties, and its implementation will be determined by mutual agreement.
The agreement in a nutshell
• Honouring and compensating the martyrs and injured • Probe into September 8 and 9 protests
• Eliminating corruption and partisanship
• Free and fair election with NOTA option on ballot
• Formation of the Constitution Amendment Recommendation Commission
• Complete proportional inclusion
• Accountability and transparency
• Freedom of expression and digital freedom
• Formation of the Gen Z Council
• Implementation of the agreement