29 April 2024, Butwal: In an advocacy meeting organised by Advocacy Forum-Nepal (AF) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), political leaders from Lumbini Province pledged reparation for the victims of serious human rights violations. The dialogue, organised at Butwal, Rupandehi, Lumbini Province saw participation from major political parties, civil society actors, and experts.
During the meeting, Advocate Raju Chapagain emphasised the importance of non-politicising reparation efforts and called for unified action from provincial and central governments.
Anupa Aryal, programme coordinator at AF, commended positive initiatives in provinces like Karnali and Madhesh for supporting conflict victims and highlighted local government efforts in municipalities such as Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City and Sainamaina Municipality, showcasing the potential for impactful action at the grassroots level.
Participating political leaders expressed their commitment to advocating for justice and reparation, stressing the need for cooperation between provincial and central governments. They underscored the necessity of addressing the diverse needs of victims through concrete policies and emphasised the enduring impact of the conflict and urged substantial government commitment. One of the leaders informed attendees that the reparation policy is under parliamentary consideration and affirmed the Maoists’ readiness to pass the reparation bill, also pledging budget allocation for conflict survivors in the upcoming fiscal year.
AF and the ICJ pledged legal and technical support for the government on the reparation policy. The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism and dedication to making meaningful progress in addressing the long-standing grievances of conflict victims.
