Conflict Victims Stage Protest at Maitighar, Demand Conclusion of Transitional Justice Process

 

Kathmandu, July 23: Conflict victims staged a protest at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu on Thursday, demanding the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) through a credible, transparent, and victim-centered process.

The demonstration, organized by the broader conflict victims' community, called on the government to ensure meaningful participation of victims in the commission formation process. Protesters argued that commissions formed without consulting victims cannot fulfill the objectives of Nepal's long-delayed transitional justice process.

They urged the government to consult victims before appointing commissioners, select qualified and impartial officials, and bring the nearly two-decade-long transitional justice process to a meaningful conclusion.

Addressing the gathering, senior human rights activist Charan Prasai said Nepal has remained trapped in a cycle of impunity because the transitional justice process has been delayed for almost 20 years. He accused the state of ignoring the voices of conflict victims and criticized the Parliamentary Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee for failing to engage with them. According to him, while the government has been holding discussions with various groups, it has shown little interest in consulting conflict victims.

Prasai stressed that the transitional justice process should not be delayed any further and warned against any attempts to prolong or derail it. He noted that a new generation of civic activists has also begun advocating for transitional justice, making its resolution unavoidable.

Surendra Khatri, President of the National Network of Conflict Victims with Disabilities, said that despite two decades since the peace process began, victims have yet to receive justice. He called on the new government to immediately establish the TRC and the CIEDP and appoint commissioners with the active participation of victims.

Khatri also complained that repeated requests for meetings and consultations with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Law Minister had been ignored. He said victims had expected the new political leadership to accelerate the transitional justice process, but instead, the commissions were dissolved through an ordinance.

Similarly, Gita Rasaili, President of the National Network of Women Conflict Victims, said that although three commissions had been formed in the 20 years since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, none had functioned effectively. She blamed the failure on the government's practice of forming commissions without consulting victims.

Rasaili said the government is preparing to establish another commission without holding any formal dialogue with victims. She added that repeated efforts to meet the Prime Minister and the Law Minister had gone unanswered. According to her, no commission formed without the consent and participation of victims can resolve Nepal's transitional justice issues.

The protesters said their demonstration was a symbolic effort to demand a credible, transparent, and victim-centered commission formation process. They warned that they would intensify their movement if their demands are not addressed.