Pillay calls for changing TRC provision

KATHMANDU, March 21: While taking strong exception to the provision of granting amnesty even to those involved in the cases of serious human rights violations in the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has urged Nepal to amend the provisions in the TRC to be formed soon as per the agreement reached among four major political forces.



Issuing a statement Wednesday, Pillay said the provision of general amnesty in the TRC will not only deny justice to the conflict victims, but also vitiate an environment for moving towards peace. [break]



"Such amnesties would not only violate core principles under international law but would also weaken the foundation for a genuine and lasting peace in Nepal," said Pillay.



"An amnesty for those who committed serious human rights violations will deny the right of thousands of Nepalese to truth and justice. This will not provide a sustainable road to peace," she has further said.



The 2006 peace accord that ended the conflict in Nepal had agreed to establish a TRC to investigate human rights violations that occurred from 1996 to 2006, during which at least 13,000 people were killed and 1,300 went missing.

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