International Justice Day Celebrated
Speakers at a panel discussion entitled on “Serious Human Rights violations: Universal Jurisdiction and Nepal’ urged Government and Political Leaders of Nepal not to grant amnesty for the serious crimes committed during the past conflict.
British Ambassador to Nepal, John Anthony Tucknott said that the government should not give amnesty to those involved in serious human rights violations. If the Government of Nepal gives amnesty to such persons, he said that the British government will not provide economic support to Nepal.
Likewise, chairperson of Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC) Subodh Raj Pyakurel said that there is a need of citizens’ code of conduct to have acceptable situation of human rights in a country. He added that criminals should not be given amnesty from prosecution.
Human Right activist Charan Prasain said that those involved in serious violations of human rights cannot hide as they fall under universal jurisdiction.
Senior leader of the UCPN-Maoists and former CA member Eakraj Bhandari blamed the government for serving the southern neighbor rather than respecting the peace process. He stressed the need for addressing the woes of conflict victims by forming Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission on Disappearances.
Presenting a working paper on International Justice: International Jurisdiction and Nepal, advocate Govinda Bandi said that those involved in serious human rights violations have been getting amnesty as there is no political will in Nepal.
On the occasion of International Justice Day (17 July) 2012, the program was organized jointly by National Coalition for the International Criminal Court (NCICC), Amnesty International (AI) Nepal, Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Human Rights and Democratic Forum (FOHRID), Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP) and International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-Nepal).
The program was chaired by chairperson of FOHRID and Founder of AI Nepal Nutan Thapaliya and facilitated by Bijaya Raj Gautam Executive Director of INSEC.
World Day for International Justice, also referred to as Day of International Criminal Justice or International Justice Day is celebrated throughout the world on July 17 as part of an effort to recognize the emerging system of international criminal justice. July 17 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the International Criminal Court. On 1 June 2010, at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute held in Kampala (Uganda), the Assembly of State Parties decided to celebrate 17 July as the International Justice Day.