Conflict Victims, human rights community and the National Human Rights Commission spoke about the failure of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission to Investigate Enforced Disappearances to deliver justice to victims.
Speaking at an interaction programme jointly organised by Muktinath Adhikari Memorial Academy and Amnesty International Nepal on 17 January 2016, conflict victims said they will continue their fight for justice until it is delivered.
Speaking at the program, Former Minister and Constituent Assembly member, Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat (Nepali Congress) admitted victims’ issues suffered in the process of building consensus among political parties.
Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Anup Raj Sharma said that Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission to Investigate Enforced Disappearances, which were formed a year ago, have not done anything towards providing justice to victims. Sharma put forth the condition that NHRC will cooperate with these bodies if the Acts are amended as per the Supreme Court’s verdict.
During the interaction, the victims community expressed their discontentment at the government for not keeping its commitment made during the signing of the Peace agreement.
Human rights activists present stressed that the political interference in the transitional justice process derailed the objectives of the process. The speakers including parliamentarians and politicians admitted that the justice process has been taking too long and said that they are committed to work towards ensuring truth and justice to victims.
The program organised to mark the 14th Death Anniversary of Muktinath Adhikari, a teacher from Lamjung who was allegedly killed by Maoist cadres on 16th January 2002. The program was attended by around 200 people including conflict victims, representatives of Human Rights Organisations, civil society, AI members and media.