Van Hollen, Shaheen Statement on Violence and Unrest in Nepal

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on reports that hundreds of civilians have been injured and over 20 Nepali citizens killed in protests sparked by the government's social media ban and citizens' mounting frustration with economic inequality and corruption:

"The violence, loss of life and destruction that have taken place in Nepal in recent days are unacceptable, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and urge full accountability for any disproportionate use of force against civilians. Nepal has made significant democratic gains over the past two decades, and those hard-fought achievements must be preserved, including the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. A peaceful, democratic and stable Nepal is in the interests of its people, the United States and the region. That requires addressing corruption and institutional weaknesses that continue to erode public trust in the Nepali government."