PM Oli commits to ensuring success of Transitional Justice Commissions

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed the government’s commitment to providing all necessary facilitation to ensure the success of the two commissions related to transitional justice. While addressing the National Conference on Transitional Justice, organized today by the Accountability Monitoring Committee and conflict-affected organizations, Prime Minister Oli emphasized the need to review why the previous work of the two commissions had not been successful and stressed that everyone must work together to make the upcoming efforts a success.

He assured the victims that the government would be proactive in providing justice and reparation, and promised that the unnecessary and unjust violence of the past would not happen again. He further emphasized the government’s commitment to bringing the peace process to a conclusion, recalling that the transitional justice law had been passed by the parliament. After the laws on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances were passed by parliament, the committee previously formed for the appointment of the commission’s officials did not reach an agreement. Subsequently, after the committee’s term ended, the government formed a new recommendations committee after consulting with the major political parties.

“All Nepali people wish to forget the scars of conflict. We have left the path of violence behind. Going forward, such actions should never happen again, and we should be able to provide justice to the victims,” Prime Minister Oli said. He also mentioned that the country has been embarrassed internationally for not completing the peace process for the past eighteen years and now, the work must be completed with seriousness. “Those who violate human rights will be held accountable,” he added. He also urged against celebrating or giving public holidays for the Maoist insurgency, stating that such actions could further traumatize the victims.

During the conference, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, as well as CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ were present. Prime Minister Oli underscored the importance of international support to successfully conclude the transitional justice process and mentioned that Nepal is striving to find a fundamental solution. He also advised against highlighting issues like the removal of government employees from transitional justice bodies, asserting that such matters are irrelevant to the process.

Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Oli affirmed that Nepal has already established a federal democratic republic through the people’s struggle, making it clear that the country will not go back.