The National Human Rights Commission called on the Nepal government and the concerned parties to end impunity in the country by bringing the perpetrators from the decade-long Maoist insurgency to book.
The constitutional human rights watchdog, which has the authority to oversee the transitional justice processes, said that impunity will continue in the country until the victims of the armed conflict get justice.
Issuing a statement on the 15th anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Accord on Sunday, the commission has urged the government to revise the Enforced Disappeared Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act in line with the international principle, the verdict of the Supreme Court and its recommendation.
“Arms management, integration of the Maoists combatants in Nepal Army, constitution promulgation and formation of the transitional justice bodies which are the part of the peace process have been successfully completed,” reads the statement. “However, it is a matter of serious concern that there has been no expected progress in ending impunity despite the continuous call from the victims and human rights defenders.”
The watchdog has also raised its concern over the sluggish progress of the transitional justice commissions to investigate the complaints lodged by the victims. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has received 63,718 complaints seeking justice. In the last seven years, the commission has completed preliminary investigations of around 3,800 complaints.
The disappearance commission, meanwhile, had received 3,223 complaints and is conducting an investigation into 2,506 cases after a study revealed that the other complaints fell outside of its jurisdiction. The commission is yet to complete the preliminary investigations of the complaints filed and has not fully investigated a single case.
Meanwhile, 41 organizations of the victims in addition to 40 other human rights associations have raised serious concerns over the government’s reluctance in concluding the transitional justice process. Issuing a joint statement on Sunday, they called for an end to the continuous delays and betrayal in the truth and justice process for thousands of conflict victims in Nepal.
The organizations and associations have demanded that Nepal must take immediate and urgent steps towards reviving the transitional justice process making it open, transparent, consultative, and credible. Through the statement, they have made eight demands which include making a public timeline with a clear action plan to conclude the existing process in consultations with the victims. They have also demanded the amendment of the transitional justice act and establish competent and independent commissions on the basis of a competitive and transparent process.
“Immediately avail financial resources to the commissions to accomplish their duties, facilitate commissions to manage necessary infrastructure, experts, technicians and human resources,” reads their statement. “Ensure recognition, medical support and rights to truth, justice and reparation to victims of rape and sexual violence and common people maimed by the landmines laid during the conflict.”
sourc: Kathmandupost
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