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Gen Z youths, who have been protesting against social media ban and corruption, have entered the Parliament building.

Protesters entered the federal Parliament building after breaching the police cordon.

They climbed over the gate and entered the Parliament building.

The youths taking part in the protest are chanting slogans against the government.

Gen Z youths, who have been staging protest against corruption and social media ban, clashed with police personel at New Baneshwor.

Police opened tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.

Police resorted to tear gas shells after the protesters pelted stones at police personnel and tried to break into the restricted area.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has received over 15,000 new complaints related to human rights violations committed during the 10-year long Maoist insurgency, bringing the total number of registered complaints from 65,000 to 78,909. 

A majority of the newly registered complaints are related to rape and other forms of sexual violence allegedly committed by both Maoist combatants and state security forces during Nepal’s decade-long armed conflict. 

In recent years, survivors of sexual violence—many of whom had remained silent due to stigma, fear, and lack of institutional support—have begun to speak out more openly about their experiences. In an effort to address these long-overlooked grievances, the newly appointed office bearers of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), who assumed office in May 2025, reopened the complaint registration process for victims who had previously been unable to file their cases.

The recent appointments of Lila Devi Gadtaula and Mahesh Thapa as chairs of the Commission on the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), respectively, are being viewed as a critical step toward revitalizing Nepal’s long-stalled transitional justice process.

Both officials took their oath of office and secrecy in May, signaling renewed commitment. However, concerns remain regarding their limited experience in transitional justice, a highly specialized and sensitive domain requiring a deep understanding of conflict-era grievances, legal frameworks, and victim-centered approaches.

Nepal’s transitional justice system was established in response to the decade-long Maoist insurgency (1996–2006), which left over 17,000 people dead, thousands more displaced, and countless others affected by torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations. As part of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the government pledged to address these grave abuses, leading to the formation of two transitional justice bodies in 2015: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons.

Despite their formation and subsequent appointments in 2016, both commissions have made little progress. Over the past decade, they have investigated only a fraction of the more than 63,000 complaints filed—only a few hundred cases have undergone preliminary investigation. Political interference, lack of adequate funding, absence of skilled personnel and experts, and internal divisions within the commissions have all contributed to their ineffectiveness.

Of particular concern is the underreporting and lack of investigation into sexual violence and rape cases. Initially, only 314 complaints related to sexual violence were filed. However, under increased advocacy and awareness, it was revealed that there are at least 883 such complaints from Jajarkot district alone—a far-western region that was a major epicenter of the Maoist insurgency. This discrepancy highlights the broader issue of stigma, fear of retaliation, and lack of trust in state mechanisms that prevent survivors—particularly women—from coming forward.

Adding to the challenges, international attention and funding for Nepal’s transitional justice process have significantly dwindled in recent years. Donor fatigue, shifting geopolitical priorities, and the government’s failure to demonstrate progress have led many development partners to scale back their assistance. Securing adequate financial resources for victim reparations, investigations, and institutional strengthening remains a critical hurdle.

The newly appointed commission members have expressed commitment to completing investigations and delivering justice, but their success largely hinges on the government’s political will and financial support. As some TRC officials have noted, with sufficient resources and autonomy, they could feasibly complete the investigation of all registered cases.

Growth in the world today is no longer about profits alone. To succeed, we  need to build the bridge between people, planet, and profit, known as the  3Ps. Businesses that believe in sustainability are setting themselves up for  sustainable growth in the future, while also helping to create a healthier,  fairer, and more resilient future. 

For decades, some industries have used the traditional model: extract resources, manufacture  goods, use, and finally, throw away the rest of the product. The “take–make–dispose” cycle in  today’s world is used to cut costs on ecological problems, and business growth. Sustainable  businesses embrace, and focus on the Circular Economy principles [it means to move the economy in  such a way that everything is reused, recycled, or regenerated instead of being thrown away] which  puts an emphasis on treating waste as a resource. 

Reports say one regenerative dairy cooperative, the First Milk, implementing resource-efficient  closed-loop strategies and sustainable practices experienced growth in sales by 38 percent in the year  2023. The change demonstrates how ecological systems can help grow business solutions,  enabling companies to thrive even in resource limitation, or scarcity. 

Going beyond the minimum requirements helps companies protect themselves from risk and  comply with consumers. Research shows that approximately 70 percent of consumers prefer to buy from  brands that are considered environmentally friendly. The growth of global ESG-related assets, projected to be nearly $34trn by 2026 tells you that sustainability is not a cost—but a  growth opportunity. 

This strategic shift is grounded in reality. Businesses are embracing sustainability not just for  reputation, but because climate risks are already reshaping their operations. Industry leaders  emphasize that businesses are embracing sustainability to not just look good but because they  understand that, “The very real impact of floods, fires and storms has direct consequences on  businesses’ bottom line and long-term viability.” 

Sustainability often inspires innovation instead of stifling it. For example, IKEA has managed to  lower emissions by over 30 percent since 2016, all while keeping affordability in mind. As CEO Jesper  Brodin stated, “Sustainability can’t be a luxury; it has to be a choice for everyone.” 

Authenticity is also important. Alex Wright, CEO of Dash Water, warns that loyalty only comes  from legitimate environmental commitment and not just a gimmicky initiative. 

Challenges persist in measurement. Deloitte recently said that almost half of FTSE 100 companies  restated climate and sustainability data, especially related to indirect emissions. Still, this increased  scrutiny can be viewed positively as a movement towards a greater degree of accountability.  

At the same time, sustainability goes beyond the environment to communities. Fair labor, fair  trade, ethical sourcing and social equity move companies away from simply selling a product, to  being a positive agent of change. Research indicates that consumers are even willing to pay a  premium for ethically produced products, which reinforces the social aspect of corporate  responsibility. 

Balance is the essence of sustainability: people, planet, and profit. Academic literature reinforces  the strong correlation between high corporate social impact performance and profitability and  resilience over the long-run. Consumers, investors, and regulators are driving sustainable business practices that are redefining  success. Whether it is generating sales, protecting ecosystems, reducing emissions, or improving  financial performance, sustainability is now a mandate, not a choice. It is the compass leading us  to an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.  Profit cannot be the only measure of success; prosperity can only be achieved in harmony with  people and the planet.

Sriansha Bhatta