Nepal’s Internet Blackout Turns Deadly — Is Free Speech the Real Enemy?

In response to the government’s decision to impose an internet blackout in Nepal, violent protests erupted in the capital city of Kathmandu. Tragically, the situation escalated, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals and causing injuries to numerous others.

The government, led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, had ordered the shutdown on Saturday, citing concerns about “dangerous misinformation.” However, this move has been widely condemned by critics and human rights organizations as a blatant violation of free speech.

The unprecedented blackout has plunged the Himalayan nation into digital darkness, crippling its economy and sparking a fierce backlash. The deadly clashes now represent a significant escalation in the struggle between the government and a populace increasingly reliant on the internet for communication and commerce.

Key Takeaways

• Deadly Clashes: At least three people have been killed in Kathmandu after protests erupted over a government-imposed nationwide internet blackout.
• Blackout Trigger: The government shut down internet services and banned major social media platforms on Saturday, citing the need to prevent the spread of “disinformation” and “hate speech.”
• Free Speech Under Fire: Human rights organizations have condemned the blackout as a draconian measure to silence dissent and a grave violation of fundamental rights.
• Economic Impact: The shutdown has paralyzed Nepal’s digital economy, affecting everything from banking to ride-sharing services and costing an estimated $10 million per day.

From Digital Silence to Street Violence

The shutdown began without warning late on Saturday, with major internet service providers complying with a directive from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority. The order, which also specifically banned access to platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, was justified by the government as a necessary measure to “maintain social harmony.”

By Monday, however, thousands of protestors, including students, activists, and business owners, had defied a curfew and taken to the streets of Kathmandu. Eyewitness accounts reported by Reuters described police using tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds that were marching toward the Prime Minister’s office.

“The government has silenced our voices, leaving us with no other option but to raise our voices on the streets,” a student protestor expressed to a local television network. In response, the government defended the police action, claiming that the security forces acted in self-defense against “violent agitators.”

A “Grave Escalation” in Digital Authoritarianism

The internet blackout is being viewed by international observers as a worrying sign of democratic backsliding in Nepal. Digital rights and human rights organizations have issued strong condemnations.

A statement from Human Rights Watch called the shutdown a “disproportionate and unjustifiable violation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information.” The organization warned that such blackouts are often used as a tool to conceal human rights abuses from the outside world.

The economic cost is also mounting. The Confederation of Nepalese Industries estimates the blackout is costing the nation’s economy over $10 million daily, with the tech and tourism sectors hit hardest. For many ordinary Nepalis, the shutdown has severed a vital lifeline.

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