Kathmandu, Aug. 23
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has said that the adoption
of new transitional justice legislation in Nepal marks an important step in the
nation’s long journey towards accountability and reconciliation.
“Eighteen years since the end of the decade-long conflict,
and after several previous attempts to finalise such legislation, victims of
human rights violations are now closer to knowing the truth, accessing justice,
and obtaining reparations,” Türk said in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to him, this process will also help strengthen
guardrails to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.
The amendment bill on the Investigation of Enforced
Disappeared Persons, Truth, and Reconciliation Commission Act, which was passed
by the National Assembly on Thursday, aims to ensure truth and accountability
for serious human rights violations committed by all parties during Nepal’s
civil war, read the statement.
The Commission will also oversee mediation and
reconciliation efforts, and make recommendations to the Government to provide
reparations, relief, and support to the victims and their families.
At least 13,000 people were killed and 1,300 went missing
between 1996 and 2006 during the internal conflict between the Royal Nepal Army
and the Communist Party of Nepal, he said.
The UN Human Rights
Office documented unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture,
arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, war crimes and crimes against humanity by
both parties. The conflict ended with a peace agreement, in which the parties
committed to establishing the truth and ensuring the victims receive both
justice and reparations.
“I welcome the adoption of this revised law as an important
step forward, even if some provisions leave gaps and ambiguities. It is
imperative that the legislation is interpreted and implemented in a manner that
upholds victims’ rights, including to truth, justice and reparations and that
guarantees accountability in full compliance with international human rights
standards," said Türk.
“It will be essential
for the Nepali authorities to ensure the full and meaningful participation of
the victims and affected communities at every stage of the process,” he added.
The High Commissioner also called for transparency and
inclusivity in the appointment of the new commission’s members, to ensure their
independence, impartiality and competence.
“Nepal has become a regional and global example of a
successful peaceful transition towards democratic, constitutional, and federal
governance,” Türk said. “My Office stands ready to assist the Government and
people of Nepal in taking this crucial phase of the peace process forward.”
“Transitional justice
is a powerful instrument to break cycles of violence and impunity, and a unique
opportunity to revisit some of the rooted inequalities and discrimination that
led to the conflict.”
The House of Representatives passed the TRC Bill on August
14, and the National Assembly endorsed it on Thursday.
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