18 February 2022, Kathmandu: Commemorating the 18 years of Maina Sunuwar and Reena Rasaili’s killing, Maina Bal Bikash Samiti and Reena Arpan Dalit Uthan Manch organized a commemoration event on 17 February 2022 at the Union House, Anamnagar, Kathmandu. Family members of Maina and Reena, along with the representatives of conflict victim groups, members of civil societies, and media attended the event.
Facilitating the program Geeta Rasaili, younger sister of Reena Rasaili, briefed about the background of the cases of both Maina and Reena. She also stated that the commemoration of Maina and Reena’s killing is important, not only to revive the cases but also to remind the stakeholders about the continuance of impunity in such conflict-related cases.
Speaking in the program, Devi Sunuwar, mother of Maina Sunuwar, shared her grievance on the Government’s lack of accountability in her daughter’s killing. She then read out the open letter she had written to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, demanding the implementation of the Kavre District Court’s decision and arresting the alleged perpetrators.
Pledging solidarity to the family members of Maina and Reena, Maina Karki, attendees stressed that the Government should answer why their loved ones, who were only civilians and did not have any connection with the conflict, were tortured and killed.
Concluding the event, Dr. Mandira Sharma, AF’s founder mentioned that the case of Maina is emblematic because it set a precedent of being the first conflict-related case to be litigated in the civilian court. She also highlighted the struggles that came along the way while seeking justice and how the determination and resilience of Devi Sunuwar have been unshaken, despite all the threats and intimidation she received.
AF provided technical and financial support in organizing the event. AF has also been providing legal support since the beginning of the case.
