Approximately 90 Nepalese residents of Paphos gathered peacefully on Wednesday at the city’s town hall square to honour the victims of the recent mass anti-government protests in Nepal.

Holding candles, they prayed for the 25 people who lost their lives during the demonstrations.

The uprising in Nepal began on September 8 in Kathmandu after the government banned social media, sparking protests against corruption, unemployment and the political elite’s failure to engage with the youth.

These demonstrations, since dubbed the ‘Gen Z protests’, led to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation and calls for former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister.

A curfew remains in place with soldiers patrolling deserted streets as authorities prepare for talks to resolve the crisis. Nepal, one of Asia’s poorest countries, continues to face political instability and high unemployment, prompting many to seek work abroad.

Gatherings like those in Paphos have been held in other Cypriot cities over the past few days. Organisers emphasised that these gatherings serve as important acts of collective remembrance and solidarity.

The Nepalese diaspora conveyed a message of unity, affirming that despite the distance, they remain closely connected to their homeland and “stand alongside their compatriots who are fighting for justice, dignity and democracy.”