KATHMANDU, July 7: Conflict victims have urged the government to hold province-wise thorough consultations on the bill related to transitional justice (TJ) at the earliest so that the victims living in far-flung villages also could participate in the consultations and own up the new TJ law.
In their meetings with the law minister, attorney general and concerned government officials, members of Conflict Victims’ Common Platform, which is an umbrella body of 13 organizations advocating for justice for war-era victims, said the problem would become more complicated if the victims are not properly consulted before endorsing the TJ bill. “The TJ process will be delayed further if the victims are not consulted properly. And they will reject the law and again move the court further delaying the transitional justice process,” said Suman Adhikari, immediate past president of the CVCP, adding, “That’s why we want to hold thorough consultations on time.”
Govt plans nationwide consultation on next transitional justice...
Several attempts made by the previous governments to settle transitional justice issues had failed after conflict victims challenged the proposed law at the Supreme Court.
Responding to a writ petition filed by the conflict victims, the apex court had ordered the government to formulate law on transitional justice in accordance with international standards. Based on the court verdict, the government has proposed a new law on transitional justice.
“We want thorough consultations on the draft bill to make it an acceptable document,” said Adhikari.
They have proposed to the government to hold consultations in all seven provinces ensuring maximum participation of victims from all conflict-affected districts.
