KATHMANDU, July 18: Expressing its concern over the long-delayed transitional justice process, Germany, a key European Union (EU) member, has urged Nepal to conclude the remaining aspects of the peace process at the earliest possible.
Visiting Commissioner for South Asia in the German Federal Foreign Office Markus Potzel in his meeting with Nepali officials including Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali and Minister for Law Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal expressed hope that the issues of transitional justice would be completed at the earliest.
Commissioner Potzel, who arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day visit Tuesday, had inquired about the progress in the transitional justice process during his meeting with law minister Dhakal. Minister Dhakal informed Potzel that transitional justice-related laws were in the process of amendment in line with the Supreme Court verdict and other international standards.
Reviewing transitional justice
Germany has long been stressing the need for broader consultation with concerned stakeholders before endorsing laws related to transitional justice through the parliament and appointment of commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) in transparent manner so that they can deliver justice to the victims.
Nepal and Germany are both the members of the UN Human Rights Council. “The German side also appreciated Nepal’s unique and home-grown peace process and expressed hope that its remaining aspects would be resolved soon,” said Commissioner Potzel at a joint press conference organized before wrapping up his two-day visit to Nepal.
Nepal and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, which stipulates that these consultations would be held annually, at mutually convenient time in the future.
During the meeting, the two sides welcomed the signing of a 24.3-million-euro financial aid agreement on July 5. The assistance will serve to upgrade maternal care facilities in Kathmandu Valley, the provision of solar energy to remote areas as well as the establishment of specific credit line to kick-start start-up business in semi-urban and rural areas.
According to a joint press statement issued by Nepal and Germany on Wednesday, Germany also pledged additional 4 million euros for technical cooperation to further upgrade the use of solar energy in order to tackle the challenges of climate change and energy security in Nepal.
Nepal and Germany have also agreed to allow diplomats’ spouses to take on gainful employment in the host country while the family is posted there. A formal agreement to this effect is set to be concluded soon.
