Conclude TRC Process

With the top leaders of three major political parties deciding to pass a Bill on Commission on Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) from the upcoming winter session of the Federal Parliament, a hope for the settlement of tricky part of peace process has been raised. Chiefs of three parties had held their meeting at the residence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda on Monday. It will be a real breakthrough if the parties are able to endorse the Bill having the provisions of credible mechanism to conclude the remaining process of the TRC, an integral part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the then government and CPN-Maoist in 2006. 

Earlier, the political parties were just able to establish these two commissions but they lack the mandate and capacity to give a logical conclusion to the peace process in the spirit of the CPA. The historic agreement has paved the way for the enactment of the Interim Constitution, formation of the Constituent Assembly, promulgation of the federal democratic and republican constitution. The reconciliation process is yet to yield positive results so that the conflict victims get the justice. Those victimised by both the state’s security agencies and former Maoist rebels have been calling for ensuring justice to them as the TJ process was inordinately delayed owing to the parties’ divergent stances on the content of the Bill. The parties require setting aside of their differences and partisan interests when it comes to sorting out the controversial provisions of the proposed Bill.

The TRC is also linked with correcting the past mistakes and negating violence in the future so as to promote a civilised and rule-governed society. Logical conclusion of TRC process not only helps uphold the rule of law but also boosts the dignity of the country in the eyes of international community. Just formation and continuation of TRC-related commissions is not enough. There should be meaningful debate on the key issues and creation of widely accepted modality for the swift and trustworthy reconciliation. 

It is imperative to forge consensus among the political parties to this end. The process shall be more reliable if the issues relating to victim's concerns and international standards are addressed in terms of principles and procedures. The parties should not sidestep these vital matters. They should develop minimum common understanding, no matter whether they are in the government or in the opposition. Nepal’s peace process has been dubbed as homegrown and successful model. Barring the TJ process, the parties have resolved other contentious issues such the management of arms, reparation to the combatants and their integration and rehabilitation. This has enhanced nation's image and credibility.

As Martin Luther King had said, in 1963, that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, the political parties should show prudence and flexibility to end the TRC process at the earliest possible, bearing in mind that justice should finally prevail. The lawmakers have the responsibility to pore over and revise the Bills, if necessary, before endorsing it in the upcoming session of the parliament. The issue of TRC should not be an albatross around the neck of the parties who were the part of the decade-long insurgency. All parties should be serious about delivering justice to the victims without further delay.