TJ Agreement paves reliable basis for concluding peace process

Kathmandu, Aug 1: Civil society activists have commented that the agreement reached between the major political parties on the transitional justice bill will conclude the derailed peace process.     

It is believed that the bill which is currently under discussion in the Law and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives is an important step for concluding the controversial debate pertaining most awaited decision to settle transitional justice.     

Senior journalist Taranath Dahal said that although the issue of transitional justice has been delayed, it is an important achievement for the parties to reach an agreement. He pointed out the need to quickly pass the Transitional Justice Bill by the Parliament and appoint a competent commission to implement the law and give responsibility to qualified people.     

Professor Kapil Shrestha, a human rights activist, said that there is nothing better for Nepal than concluding the transitional justice bill, and expressed his belief that this would send a good message to the international community. As the international community is watching Nepal with deep interest, Shrestha said that he is curious to see how Nepal will finalize the TRC Bill, and held the opinion that it needs the support of major stakeholders along with party consensus.     

Then Constituent Assembly member Ram Narayan Bidari argued that the country should be taken on the path of concluding peace process by implementing the agreement reached between the parties on the transitional justice law. "It has been a good job, the important question is whether it will be implemented or not", he said. He said that according to the concept of transitional justice, there is provision for relief, respect and compensation for the victims and punishment for the perpetrators.     

 Similarly, senior advocate Tikaram Bhattarai said that it was a positive thing that the controversial issues of the bill were settled with the consent of the three main parties involved in the peace process. "This has established a reliable basis that the peace process of Nepal will now be concluded", he said, "Though there is a delay in the completion of the transitional justice issues with the promulgation of the constitution, there is hope that the peace process will be completed with the agreement between the parties."     

Mentioning that the peace process is a matter of international interest and concern, senior advocate Bhattarai said that its future depends on the response of the state or the rebel side and the response of international human rights organizations. (RSS)