Kathmandu: Advocacy Forum-Nepal (AF) organized provincial level interaction program titled “Major Concerns of Conflict Victims’ in Transitional Justice Process and the Role of Stakeholders” in Biratnagar, Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Pokhara and Dhangadi in October and November 2019. In the program, altogether 214 participants including Minister of State for Law and Internal Affairs, Members of Provincial Assembly, Conflict Victims, Local Government Representatives (Mayor, Deputy Mayor), Human Rights Defenders, Lawyers, Government Officials, Media Persons and Civil Society activists attended and actively participated in the interaction programs.
The major objective of the program was to strengthen the network of conflict victims at local level and enhance their capacity and knowledge on the ongoing debate on Transitional Justice (TJ) process and human rights issues in Nepal and bridge the gaps of information by providing a forum for the discussion with government authorities, raise their concerns and get updates from the authorities on the progress in TJ process in addressing the core concerns of conflict victims at local and state level.
Similarly, the interaction programs focused on the power, functions, and jurisdiction of local and provincial governments and to discuss how local government can address some of the concerns of conflict victims particularly on reparation and memorialization. Likewise, victims and the participants also shared some of the local initiatives and how these initiatives became instrumental in healing the wounds and addressing the demands of the conflict victims.
Likewise, the interactions focused on identifying the core concerns of the conflict victims, particularly on reparations and memorialization. Other concerns raised during the interaction programs were: the appointment of the official on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons and their failure to fulfill their mandate in four years, how the political interference sabotage and derail the TJ process in Nepal and including others. In addition, victims and the other participants demanded to fix the legal frameworks as per the decision of the Supreme Court and the international standard prior to the appointment of the Chairpersons and members of both commissions. Furthermore, victims demanded that the general amnesty cannot be granted in any guise.in gross human right violations.
Responding to the queries/concerns of the participants, the Chief guests and the government officials expressed their commitment to address the immediate reparative needs of the conflict victims and facilitate to address the demands of the victims at the local level. Likewise, they also government expressed their commitment to prioritize the conflict victims’ demands and support victims seeking truth, reparation, and justice.
