23 December 2021, Pokhara: To discuss the role and forge the way forward on how can Local Government can fulfill its responsibilities towards the victims, Advocacy Forum- Nepal organized an interaction program titled “The Role of Local government in fulfilling Victim’s Reparative Needs” at Marshyangdi Rural Municipality Office on 23 December 2021.The program was attended by the victims, representatives of the political parties, elected representatives of various wards, and the victims of Marshyangdi Rural Municipality. Altogether, 29 participants (20 males and 9 females) attended the program.
Facilitating the program, AF lawyer Kunjani Pariyar Pyasi shared that such programs are essential to make the government at the local level responsible for the reparative needs of the victims and to get acquainted with the local initiatives and progress that the local level has been doing for addressing the needs of conflict victims.
During the program, there was a rigorous discussion among the participants on the efforts the local government have put for the conflict victims and the further actions that could be taken at the local level. The victim participants in the program shared their painful stories of the conflict. They expressed their frustrations regarding lack of progress in TJ process and stated that the role of the Local Government is crucial in addressing the reparative needs of the victims.
Amidst the discussion, Yuwa Ghale, Chairperson of Ward No. 5 of Marshyangdi Rural Municipality suggested that the reparative concerns of the victims, such as those related to health and education could be introduced by the Local Government. Ghale also remarked that programs like these should be raised at other local levels as well as during the time of election. Ram Prasad Subedi, a representative of Nepali Congress, committed that he would put Transitional Justice as one of their agendas during the upcoming local election.
Hom Bahadur BK, Vice Chairperson of Marshyangdi Rural Municipality highlighted the efforts being taken and planned by the Municipality. BK stated that the Municipality has planned to build Martyrs Park, provide scholarship in technical education to conflict victims, provide blue identity cards to the victims of torture for health insurance among others. It was indeed upon the request of BK and having the significant number of conflict victims subjected to torture during the conflict in Marshyangdi Rural Municipality, that AF organized the interaction program.
The program concluded on an optimistic note with the Local Government agreeing to help the victims who are still facing difficulties and political parties committing to include the issues of victims in the policies and programs in the forthcoming budget. It was decided that the further discussions will be carried out in future as well. AF also pledged its commitment to provide technical and financial support during such discussions, if needed.
