KATHMANDU: People in general have been staging demonstrations across the country urging the government to stop violence and discrimination taking place in various quarantine camps.

In response to the Government of Nepal’s lack of urgency, transparency, and accountability concerning COVID-19 management, a series of non-violent, citizen-led, non-partisan protests have been taking place across the country.

In the last 10 days, independent protests have been organized in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Dhangadi, Chitwan, Surkhet, Birgunj, Dhankuta, Bhaktapur, Butwal, Dang, Palpa, Hetauda, Lalitpur among other places.

The demonstrations are now taking place at Shahid Gate to safeguard their most basic needs and rights as the country is reeling under the current public health crisis, deep economic distress, and challenges on many other fronts.

Expressing dissatisfaction, youths have peacefully demonstrated at Shahid Gate today saying the government has failed to control the spread of coronavirus.

These protests have been self-organized, leader-less and spontaneous since the political leadership continues to avoid the questions raised by the Nepali citizens.

The protestors have put forth the following demands:

• Make PCR testing available for everyone at risk, regardless of symptoms, as soon as possible.
• Implement the 4-tier triage approach for all at-risk populations.
• Protect front-line health care and hospital workers.
• Enforce civil, legal and universal human rights protections for suspected, confirmed or recovered covid-19 patients.

Meanwhile, the demonstrators have called on the government to acknowledge the acute vulnerability of migrant workers, daily wage workers, and marginalized communities, meanwhile, ensuring that these populations are treated with dignity.