JOINT STATEMENT OF COLOMBO DECLARATION UNITY

Stand Against the Ban on Student Unions in Nepal

We, the undersigned South Asian student unions, stand against the recent decision of the Government of Nepal to ban student unions and the directive to station security forces in campuses and academic institutions. This decision is a grave violation of democratic principles and international human rights standards. History has shown, both in Nepal and South Asia, that student movements have always held a significant role in struggles for progressive change and democracy. Following this, educational institutions must remain a space for the free exchange of ideas, critical inquiry, and collective action. The banning of student unions is a direct attack on students’ ideological freedom and the fundamental right to organize. It is an attempt to depoliticize and de-organize the youth, producing a compliant generation that cannot challenge the status quo. We also condemn the decision to deploy police forces on campuses as a fascist step and are against the militarization of educational institutions that violates the freedom of learning spaces, converting them to zones of intimidation and state surveillance. We stand in solidarity with the student unions of Nepal and call upon students, youth, and progressive forces across the world to stand against this decision to ban student unions and militarization of campuses. We demand that the Government of Nepal: Immediately withdraw the ban on student unions and uphold the democratic right to freedom of association and assembly. Long live the unity of the student movement! Long live international solidarity!

01) ALL INDIA DEMOCRATIC STUDENTS’ ORGANIZATION – (AIDSO)

02) ALL INDIA STUDENTS FEDERATION – (AISF)

03) ALL NEPAL NATIONAL INDEPENDENT STUDENTS’ UNION (REVOLUTIONARY)- (ANNISU)

04) ALL NEPAL STUDENTS UNION (SOCIALIST) – (ANSU)

05) NATIONAL STUDENTS FEDERATION, PAKISTAN – (NSF)

06) REVOLUTIONARY STUDENTS’ UNION, SRI LANKA – (RSU)

07) SCIENTIFIC SOCIALIST STUDENT UNION, NEPAL – (SSSU)

08) SOCIALIST STUDENT’S FRONT, BANGLADESH – (SSF)