Momentous Accord

The recent Gen-Z movement has upset the apple cart, upending the status quo that long defined Nepal's political and economic landscapes. But despite the ground beneath the landscapes undergoing major shifts, the movement, ironically, had to gain legitimacy to ensure that the movement's demands for deep structural reform are valid concerns that deserve to be addressed. Without this validation, the prospect of continued public frustration lingered, risking future stability.  

But, with the signing of the 10-point accord between the government and the family members of the martyrs and those left injured in the September 8 -9 movement on Wednesday, that concerns have been put to rest once and for all. This signing has duly recognised the movement as the People's Movement, which bore all the hallmarks of a revolution that is destined to go down in history as the people's spontaneous outburst that went on to lay the groundwork for a seismic shift in how a country is run economically and politically, guiding its future trajectory. 

This legitimacy could be the basis for democratic renewal and stability that also challenges a stagnant political establishment and entrenched corruption for accountability and generational inclusion. The accord, which addresses the youth movement’s demands against corruption, mis-governance, impunity and social exclusion, has been hailed as a significant step towards governance reform, and rightfully so.

It further stipulates that impartial investigations will be conducted into the events of the people's movement, identifying individuals responsible for extrajudicial killings, violence, and human rights violations, and ensuring criminal accountability. The agreement spells out the formation of a high-level investigation commission to curb corruption at both political and policy-making levels. It also provides guidance to end the politicisation of public institutions, dissolve illegally operated foundations, funds, or trusts, and nationalise their assets. 

A mechanism will also be established to reform the administrative structure. As for electoral reforms, the agreement ensures voting rights for Nepalis living abroad, mandates candidates to submit asset declarations, and introduces legal measures to make parties' and candidates' expenditures transparent. A separate commission will be established for constitutional review, which will provide recommendations on proportional representation, anti-corruption measures, judicial independence, structural reforms, and term limits, among other measures. 

Political parties have long ruled the country, but have failed to address the core economic and political challenges crippling it. The movement was the natural outburst of this frustration that had only piled up over time.  The accord has paved the way for these long-standing issues to be sorted out: carrying out political reform, including a provision in the law on political parties that does not allow the party presidents or chairs to serve more than two terms.

What's more, featured on the consensus are expediting the process of declaring individuals killed in the protest as martyrs, establishing a high-level task force to provide long-term support for families of martyrs and the injured, ensuring interim relief, compensation, healthcare, education, employment, social security, and the creation of memorials, and constituting a constitutional commission to address issues of martyrs and the injured permanently. 

Besides, legal and technical reforms to ensure freedom of expression and data protection on digital platforms and the formation of a "Gen Z Council" to fulfil the objectives of the movement and ensure youth representation in government mechanisms are other key points of the agreement. With the signing of this accord, expectations are running high that Nepali people no longer tolerate being taken for a ride and have starkly reminded the power that be of where the true power lies: with the people.