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Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government after days of anti-corruption protests that claimed 51 lives and forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign and flee his official residence in Baluwatar.

With this appointment, she has made history by becoming the first female Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation.

In line with Article 61 (4) of the Constitution, President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Karki as the head of the interim government in consultation with the Nepal Army Chief and representatives of Gen Z who spearheaded the protests.

Article 61 (4) of the Constitution states that it shall be the primary duty of the President to uphold and protect the Constitution.

She expressed her readiness to become the Prime Minister after an agreement was reached to dissolve the Parliament.

Meanwhile, President Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy amidst a function in Sheetal Niwas.

After the swearing in ceremony, he also congratulated the newly appointed Prime Minister.

While congratulating her, President Paudel said, "May the country succeed and may the people prosper,"

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, ambassadors of various countries, and high-ranking government officials were present in the program.

However, leaders of the parties representing in the Parliament did not take part in the oath-taking ceremoney, expressing dissatisfaction over the formation of the interim government.

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai was present on the occasion.

Similarly, representatives of Gen Z who were present at the swearing-in ceremony exchanged greetings and congratulated the newly appointed Prime Minister Karki.

Shortly after the swearing in ceremony, Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives, the lower House of the Federal Parliament, upon the recommendation of Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the President, the next election of the Parliament will be held on March 5, 2026.

The Prime Minister is currently staying at her private residence due to damage caused by protesters at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar.

Nepal, which had practiced a bicameral system of legislature after the restoration of democracy in 1991, has witnessed several dissolutions of Parliament in the past.

KP Sharma Oli had dissolved the House of Representatives twice, first on December 20, 2020 and second on May 21, 2021. The Supreme Court overturned both the dissolutions.

The House of Representatives was dissolved for the first time in the country's parliamentary history on July 10, 1994.

Girija Prasad Koirala, the Prime Minister of the first elected government, dissolved Parliament after failing to endorse the policies and programs.

Writ petitions were filed in the Supreme Court against the dissolution. But all the writs were dismissed and the country went for mid-term elections.

Manmohan Adhikari, who became Prime Minister from the mid-term election, dissolved the House of Representatives on June 9, 1995.

The then Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa on January 8, 1998 and Girija Prasad Koirala in 1998 had attempted to dissolve the Parliament but to no avail.

The then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had also dissolved the House of Representatives on September 24, 2002. The Supreme Court also upheld it, but it failed to hold the election on time.

Who is Sushila Karki?

Known as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, Sushila Karki is admired for her clarity of thought, firm stance, and integrity during her tenure in the judiciary.

Born on June 7, 1952 at Shankharpur-3 of Biratnagar, Morang, Karki completed her Bachelor’s Degree from the Mahendra Morang College, Biratnagar and went to Banaras Hindu University in 1975 to earn a Master’s degree in Political Science. After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Law from the Tribhuvan University, she entered the legal profession as an advocate on March 29, 1979.

Karki spent three years teaching at the Mahendra Multiple Campus, Morang from 1985. She took the leadership of the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) Koshi Zone for three years from 1988, and later as the head of the NBA at the Biratnagar Appellate Court.

She received the title of senior advocate on December 20, 2004, and was appointed as a temporary judge of the Supreme Court on January 22, 2009. She became a permanent judge of the Supreme Court on November 18, 2010.

Karki served as the Chief Justice of Nepal from July 11, 2016, to June 6, 2017.

In April 2017, some lawmakers had attempted to impeach Karki accusing her of breaching Constution and failing to bear her duties,  but the effort failed.

Nepal’s private sector has called on the government to create a safe and conducive environment for conducting business and economic activities, citing recent targeted attacks on businesses that have spread fear among investors.

In separate statements, two of Nepal’s largest private sector umbrella organizations—the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)—expressed serious concern over increasing attacks on industries and businesspersons. They reported widespread vandalism, looting, and destruction of property, which have displaced workers and jeopardized investor confidence.

The CNI warned that continued insecurity could lead to increased unemployment and a sharp decline in foreign direct investment (FDI). "The private sector should be allowed to operate without fear. If investors feel unsafe, it will severely affect economic stability and job creation," the statement read.

CNI also emphasized that rebuilding the public and private properties damaged in the attacks will require billions of rupees—resources that the government cannot provide alone. "The private sector is a major source of income for the government, and its support is crucial for reconstruction efforts," it added.

The FNCCI echoed similar concerns, highlighting that the aspirations of the younger generation—such as dignified employment, self-employment opportunities, and effective use of tax revenues—should be addressed urgently. The organization called on the government, political parties, and stakeholders to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to revive economic momentum.

“In this peak tourism season, we must send a positive message to the international community,” FNCCI stated.

The statements follow the September 9 attacks on several private businesses, including luxury hotels, car showrooms, and departmental stores. Over two dozen hotels were vandalized, with total damages reportedly exceeding Rs 25 billion.

Three days after violent protests shook the nation, Nepal is gradually returning to normalcy with heavy security deployment and cautious optimism among the populace. However, the process of government formation remains the key focus, as citizens look to political stability for lasting peace.

The recent unrest in Nepal, largely driven by the youth-led “Gen Z" movement, erupted over demands for political reform and accountability. Protesters accused political leaders of inaction, corruption, and a disconnect from the people’s concerns. The protests quickly escalated, turning violent, leading to mass prison breakouts, damage to public and private property, and a paralysis of normal life in many parts of the country. To restore order, the government deployed the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, enforcing strict security measures across affected regions.

Currently, night-time curfews are strictly enforced, with heavy deployment of military personnel across major urban areas. During the daytime, prohibitory orders are in place, allowing individuals to move about but banning public gatherings. Main streets remain largely deserted, although some private vehicles are seen on the roads. Public transportation remains suspended.

Banks and small markets, especially in inner city areas, have cautiously reopened, but major business houses and offices remain closed. Government offices, including Nepal Police headquarters, are slowly resuming operations. The police have urged the public to submit photos, videos, and any proof of individuals involved in the recent violent acts. More than 11,000 inmates who escaped during the chaos are still at large. Authorities have called on them to return voluntarily, and security forces have begun arrest operations targeting escaped prisoners.

Despite signs of recovery, fear lingers. "There are still fears that mobs could attack again. It would be a huge relief if a new government is formed soon," said Kishwor Tamang, a shopkeeper in Kathmandu. In the wake of the crisis, the nation’s attention has shifted toward forming a new government. President Ram Chandra Poudel has taken the initiative, holding consultations with representatives of the Gen Z movement, leaders of major political parties, and constitutional experts.

A key debate centers around the potential appointment of Sushila Karki as the new Prime Minister. While one faction of the Gen Z protesters supports Karki—a former Chief Justice known for her integrity—others oppose her candidacy. Furthermore, the 2015 Constitution bars non-members of Parliament from holding the prime ministerial post, posing a constitutional hurdle. Initially, the Nepal Army facilitated early discussions for government formation. Now, President Poudel is taking the lead amid rising pressure from political parties to adhere strictly to constitutional provisions. 

The private sector, which suffered major losses due to vandalism and disruption, is slowly regaining its footing. Business leaders have expressed determination to rebuild despite the challenges ahead.  However, the tourism industry has taken a severe blow. Several hotels were targeted during the unrest, and the perception of instability is expected to significantly reduce tourist inflow in the short term. As the country cautiously recovers, all eyes are on the nation’s leaders to form a stable and inclusive government that can restore public confidence and chart a path toward lasting peace and economic revival.

We know that the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789 was the first document to refer to social, economic, and cultural rights, including the rights to education, work, property, and social protection. In 1941, the Atlantic Charter was declared, which paved the way for the development of an International Bill of Rights during 1942–45. The adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948 marked a historic milestone in the field of human rights.

The historic Article 2, which states that “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind… no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional,” affirms that everyone is equal, irrespective of differences. The UDHR also emphasizes public participation. Article 21 declares that everyone has the right of equal access to public service in their country, and further elaborates on the right to periodic elections and secret ballots.

Article 25.1 states: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1976 and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) of 1976 oblige signatory nations to uphold human rights. The UNDP also highlights human rights as a central concern. Nepal is a signatory to these conventions, covenants, and protocols.

Article 1 of the UDHR—“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”—clearly enshrines the principle of equality. Article 2, which prohibits distinctions of any kind, further reinforces this. These are moral claims, inalienable and inherent in all human beings by virtue of their humanity. Over time, these claims have been articulated and codified into what we now call human rights, and have been translated into legal rights through national and international law. The basis of such legal rights lies in the consent of the governed—the subjects of these rights.

Human rights are well defined in the following lines: “The values of dignity and equality of all members of the human race, like many other basic principles which underlie what we today call human rights, can be found in virtually every culture and civilization, religion and philosophical tradition.” 

Human rights: Comments and interpretations (1948)

The United Nations once designated the International Year of Human Rights “to broaden and deepen human rights learning on the basis of the principles of universality, individuality, interdependence, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, constructive dialogue and cooperation, with a view to enhancing the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

The first article of the UDHR expresses universality through the principle of human dignity. The second article guarantees entitlement to rights without discrimination of any kind. The Preamble recognizes the “inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family” as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.

In Nepal, the culture of human rights is relatively new. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in 2000 as a statutory body under the Human Rights Commission Act of 1997. Its responsibilities, now constitutionally mandated by the Constitution of Nepal (2015), complement the work of the Supreme Court, the Office of the Attorney General, and other judicial and quasi-judicial bodies.

The Commission was founded in line with the 1991 UN-sponsored Paris Principles, a detailed set of guidelines on the status of national institutions. These principles, endorsed by the UN Commission on Human Rights (1992) and the UN General Assembly (1993), became the foundation for the NHRC’s establishment. As per Article 248 and 249 of the Constitution of Nepal, the NHRC is meant to function as an independent and autonomous constitutional body.

Every year on Dec 10, the world observes International Human Rights Day, a reminder of the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of the human family. The United Nations first recognized the day universally in 1950. Yet, it is regrettable that human rights violations persist in many forms.

The commemoration of this day reminds us that human rights must never be violated. The principles of the UDHR, adopted in 1948, remain crucial to creating a more just and rights-friendly world. However, violations continue, and the struggle for human dignity remains urgent. Discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, and disability persists across the world. While constitutions guarantee human rights, implementation often falls short. Even the Human Rights Commissions, which are tasked with addressing these issues, sometimes fail to respond adequately. Gender-based violence, domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking remain widespread—dark stains on humanity’s conscience.

The UDHR is reinforced by two essential covenants adopted in 1966—the ICCPR and the ICESCR—which clarify and enact the rights it proclaims. Today, new challenges such as climate change threaten the realization of human rights globally. World leaders must unite to address discrimination, inequality, and violence of all kinds. Human rights have become a global concern, essential for building a just and peaceful world. The core message of commemorating the 76th International Human Rights Day and the UDHR should be the vision of a discrimination-free world.

The KP Oli government is fully responsible for Monday’s massacre. I was an eyewitness at the Civil Hospital in New Baneshwar from 12 noon to 7 in the evening, while under curfew. I had gone there for a routine check of my wife’s poor health. Tear gas smoke filled the hospital premises, yet the doctors and nurses continued administering first aid to the wounded protesters. Some, gravely injured, had to be treated on the ground as the emergency ward overflowed. The indiscriminate use of force by security personnel was a gross violation of human rights. Meanwhile, human rights watchdogs failed to monitor effectively. No commissioner was present on the ground; instead, they remained in air-conditioned rooms issuing press statements.

Thus, the NHRC was negligent in monitoring the human rights situation. The demands of GenZ are genuine, yet the government has shown total indifference to the gross violations committed against protesters in today’s context.