15 April 2024, Kaski: A Stakeholder’s Forum on April 14-15, 2024, focused on interim relief and reparations for conflict victims in Gandaki Province.
Organised by Advocacy Forum-Nepal (AF) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the programme brought together conflict victims, provincial and local government representatives, and other stakeholders.
The event aimed to influence Gandaki Province’s budget allocation for conflict victims. Stakeholders discussed potential reparation measures to be included in the provincial budget.
Dr. Mandira Sharma, Senior International Legal Advisor of the ICJ, facilitated the discussions, which were chaired by Senior Advocate Hari Subedi, Chairperson of AF. Kunjani Pariyar Pyasi, Gandaki Province Coordinator, facilitated the event.
On the first day, conflict victims identified their priorities for reparations. On the second day, these priorities were presented to provincial stakeholders, including Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Khagaraj Adhikari, who served as the Chief Guest.
The programme resulted in a productive dialogue. Stakeholders, including the Chief Minister, elected representatives from municipalities, and village municipalities, committed to addressing the needs of conflict victims.
They pledged to integrate conflict victims’ issues into provincial and local planning and budgeting processes and engage conflict victims in policymaking and implementation processes. This commitment comes amid delays in justice administration at the federal level.
Gandaki Province and local governments aim to take independent steps within their jurisdiction to support conflict victims.
