Nepal lifts social media ban after mass protests against corruption

Nepal has lifted a ban on social media platforms following mass protests against systemic issues of corruption and the country’s economic woes, and the killing of 19 people by security forces, Al Jazeera writes.

Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung said early on Tuesday that the government had rolled back the social media ban imposed last week. The ban had blocked 26 media sites, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, in a bid by the government to tackle misinformation, fraud and hate speech.

Dubbed the “Gen Z” protests, due to the predominant participation of young adults and students, thousands gathered in Kathmandu and major cities on Monday to protest against corruption, a dire economic situation and the social media ban.

Events turned deadly in Kathmandu when police fired live rounds and deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannon, and batons as protesters attempted to storm the Parliament complex. Seventeen protesters were killed in Kathmandu, and two others were killed in a protest in the city of Itahari. Across Nepal, more than 100 people were injured, with some estimates putting the figure as high as 400, including police officers.

The government said late on Monday that it would set up an investigation panel and offer compensation to the families of people killed in the protests.