Nepal Prime Minister Vows No Leniency for Online Abuse Targeting Flood Survivors

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has declared a firm stance against online harassment targeting victims of recent devastating floods and landslides. Speaking from Bahrabise, a heavily affected area in Sindhupalchowk district, Mr Dahal stated that authorities 'will show no leniency' towards those who 'belittle' the suffering of survivors through social media posts or other online content.

The announcement follows a significant public outcry over numerous insensitive social media posts. These widely circulated posts featured individuals mocking the plight of flood victims, with some even trivialising the extensive damage and loss of life. Such content has been met with widespread condemnation across the country.

Authorities have now been instructed to identify and take legal action against individuals responsible for creating and disseminating these abusive posts. The Prime Minister's office underscored that the government considers such actions a serious affront to human dignity, particularly at a time of national tragedy. This move aims to curb the proliferation of callous online behaviour and provide some measure of protection to communities grappling with the aftermath of natural disasters.