UN Nepal chief urges int'l standards for transitional justice bodies

Published On: February 17, 2017 12:30 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Feb 17: The UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Valerie Julliand, has expressed concerns whether or not the transitional justice mechanisms will meet international standards.

Julliand showed her concerns during her meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter's office on Thursday. The meeting had also dwelt on the work of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA).

According to the prime minister's foreign relations adviser Rishi Raj Adhikari, Julliand said that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) should meet international standards as ordered by Nepal's Supreme Court. She also inquired about the progress made in the bill to amend the TRC and CIEDP Act that the government is planning to table in parliament. 

Earlier, the government had decided to extend the term of the TRC and CIEDP by a year as their two-year term expired without accomplishing their mandated tasks. The concerns by the UN's Nepal mission chief come at a time when various human rights organizations have been arguing that the extension of the terms of these transitional justice mechanisms will be meaningless without amending the TRC and CIEDP Act.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal said that the government is committed to ensuring international standards for the transitional justice mechanisms through amendment to the related act. He also said that those involved in heinous crimes won't be given general amnesty.

On the occasion, Julliand also expressed commitment to supporting the ongoing post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Nepal. She had also suggested holding a mini conference of donors to review the progress made so far and ensuring that there is no shortage of funds to expedite the reconstruction works. 


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