No leniency in punishment to rape perpetrators: Home Minister

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 11:Minister for Home Affairs, Ramesh Lekhak has confirmed that there will be no leniency in punishing perpetrators of rape committed during the conflict. This statement was made during a programme titled Participation of Conflict Victims in the Implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill, organised by the National Network of Victims of Serious Human Rights Violations in Kathmandu.

"Rape is rape, and the punishment for it remains unchanged under any circumstances," said Minister Lekhak. He questioned the effectiveness of further changes to the transitional justice law, asking, "What more could be done? How much confusion and delay must we endure? Now, we need to focus on its implementation."

Home Minister Lekhak acknowledged the significant challenges in implementing the transitional justice law and urged victims to unite through dialogue. "The implementation of this law faces major hurdles. If the nation remains divided, this process could drag on for another decade," he said.

During the programme, CPN-UML leader and former law minister Agni Kharel urged victims to move beyond the conflict's wounds and recognise the national benefits of their sacrifices. He noted that the process of making the transitional justice law more victim-friendly has been prolonged.

"We are committed to making the process more victim-friendly," said Kharel. "If there are issues or delays, they should be addressed openly. During the implementation process, all victims should have a clear and unified understanding. Instead of resorting to insults, we should focus on providing clear explanations and fostering understanding," he added.

Janardan Sharma, leader of the CPN Maoist Centre and a member of the working group on transitional justice, praised the national consensus on the law as historic. He highlighted that the law aims for a long-term resolution by addressing the root causes of the conflict.

Devi Khadka, coordinator of the National Organisation of Rape Victims in the Conflict, welcomed the transitional justice law, noting its positive reception from the perspective of victims and women.