Conflict survivor organisations call for appointing officials in the TJ bodies acceptable to the victims

Kathmandu, May 4: Representatives of various organisations of conflict victims have submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli calling for making the process of recommending office-bearers of the two commissions related to transitional justice credible and transparent.     

In a meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence, Baluwatar today, representatives including conflict survivor Devi Khadka expressed concern over the recommendation committee carrying out its work without consulting them.     

They demanded that a person who is unbiased and acceptable to the victims should be recommended as the chairperson and a person who can work impartially should be recommended as a member of the TJ commission.     

The committee formed by the government to recommend the office-bearers of both the commissions in accordance with the Act related to the Investigation of Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has already published a short-list from among the applications received.     

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli urged the organisations concerned not to distrust the incumbent government as he has been candidly putting forth his views in support of peace since the conflict.     

Making it clear that the process has taken a long time due to political misunderstanding, he said that those who commit heinous crimes against humanity like rape will be brought to justice and punished, and justice will be provided to the victims.     

"I have no intention to play with the victims' sentiments, cheat them and dilly dally the process. My only focus is to conclude the transitional justice at the earliest. Although not directly involved in the conflict, our party CPN (UML) is also a victim party in a way. Our leaders have also been killed while fighting for peace," Prime Minister and UML Chair Oli said.     

Stating that we all were affected by the politics of violence while all sides, in fact the whole country, suffered from the conflict, he said adding that their efforts are for stopping such cycle (of conflict and violence) once and for all.     

The PM also on the occasion urged all sides to work in unison and without panicking in this process to bring the right and reasonable outcome.     

Prime Minister's Advisor on Human Rights and Transitional Justice Agni Kharel was also present in the meeting.(RSS)