In a paper, "Compromising Justice: Nepal´s Proposed Ordinance on Commission on Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation (2012)", ICJ stressed that Nepal´s international supporters press the government to meet its commitments and obligations under international law. [break]
"Countries have an obligation to cooperate in investigation and prosecution of individuals facing credible allegations of serious violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law, including prosecution of suspected perpetrators under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction," said ICJ´s Asia Director Sam Zarifi.
ICJ said recent efforts by the Nepal government were intended to undermine accountability by weakening proposed transitional justice mechanisms and promoting suspected violators.
It said the government must ensure accountability for thousands of violations by security forces and Maoists during the conflict, as documented in a recent OHCHR report.
"This sobering report chronicles the devastating human impact of human rights and humanitarian law violations that continue to burden victims and their families," said Zarifi. "We applaud OHCHR but also urge it and the international community not to relegate this report to the shelf, but ensure that it is introduced at all levels as a basis for advocating for truth, justice and reparations."
"This report is all the more important as it comes against the backdrop of systematic efforts by the government to avoid accountability and indeed to reward some of those suspected of serious violations," Zarifi added.
ICJ´s paper also highlighted serious shortcomings in a proposed ordinance that backtracks on previous commitments to justice included in the Comprehensive Peace Accord, the 2007 Constitution, and a Supreme Court decision.
"ICJ reiterated its strong condemnation of the promotion of Kuber Singh Rana to IGP and Raju Basnet to Nepal Army brigadier. Both have been implicated by the SC in decisions ordering full investigations of their culpability," reads the paper.
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