Calls for more clarity in TRC Act and regulations
KATHMANDU, July 6: Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Commissioner Madhavi Bhatta has filed a written proposal at the commission seeking clear vision for looking into the use of child soldiers during the armed conflict and an explanation of various TRC Act and regulations.
Bhatta submitted the proposals to Chairman Surya Kiran Gurung on Tuesday stating that she took the step as Gurung turned down her repeated verbal requests to include the issues as agendas in the meetings of the commission.
Bhatta argues that although the TRC Act and regulations recognize other types of crimes and rights violations such as murder, rape, abduction as heinous crimes, the use of child soldiers finds no mention in the definitions.
Arguing that the TRC regulations are faulty and unclear on some points, she has demanded discussions within the commission to clearly describe them before starting any investigations into the complaints received.
Meanwhile, she has also raised serious concerns over commission members' unsanctioned visit to various districts in the name of monitoring the process of complaint filing.
"Yes, I have requested the chairman to include all the three issues in the agenda of next meeting. These are serious issue and the commission needs to be clear on them," said Bhatta.
Bhatta's latest move has again brought the disputes within the commission to the surface. Earlier in February, Bhatta had claimed that she was removed from the responsibility of commission's spokesperson as she tried to bring in the proposal demanding commission's vision on investigating the cases of use of minors and children in armed conflict.
The commission has been receiving complaints from conflict victims since the last two and half months but yet to begin the detailed investigation into the complaints.
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