KATHMANDU, Oct 30: Victims of Nepal's decade-long armed conflict have called for a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his current visit to the country. The victims expressed their gratitude for Guterres' attention to Nepal's peace process and transitional justice, while also highlighting their concern about being excluded from his itinerary.

In a public statement addressed to the UN Secretary-General, the victims emphasized the importance of their involvement in discussions regarding Nepal's transitional justice process. They expressed distress that Guterres had scheduled meetings with former warring sides but had not included the citizens who suffered as a result of actions by both the state and the rebels during the conflict.

The victims made a direct request to Guterres, asking him to allocate time for a meeting before his departure on November 1. During this meeting, they intend to share their collective pain, experiences with the transitional justice process, and their efforts to ensure a credible process. They also plan to put forth their suggestions for a successful and principled truth, justice, reparation, and reconciliation process that includes accountability for heinous crimes.

The victims underscored the critical role of Nepal's peace process, which holds the potential for success where others have faltered and could serve as a model for post-conflict societies. They stressed the importance of ensuring the success of the Nepali peace process by providing immediate reparations to victims and establishing a principled approach to transitional justice.

While the Nepali government has not facilitated a meeting between the conflict victims and Guterres, the victims remain hopeful that their request for an appointment will be positively considered by the UN Secretary-General. They emphasized their unity in seeking justice and resolution, regardless of the source of their suffering.

The victims' plea for a meeting with the UN Secretary-General highlights the pressing need for inclusivity and accountability in Nepal's ongoing transitional justice process and the importance of addressing the concerns of those who suffered during the conflict.

 
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