The conflict victims, who suffered at the hands of the then Maoist rebels, have questioned the legitimacy of the ongoing transitional justice process, from which they feel excluded.

On the first day of consultations with the Recommendation Committee, a panel entrusted to nominate chairpersons and commissioners for the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on the Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances, the victims said they were not obliged to support the nominations either.

“We want a transitional justice mechanism as early as possible but not in this manner,” said Suman Adhikari, president of the Conflict Affected Orphans’ Society. “The Committee was formed ignoring the court order which asked the government to consult with victims even while formulating its working procedure.”

The speakers at the consultations organised by the Committee on Wednesday criticised the panel for unilaterally taking the process forward. The participants said since the Committee cannot be legitimate as it is without a representative from the National Human Rights Commission.

Besides, two writ petitions against the transitional justice law as well as the committee are filed at the Supreme Court.

“The government wants us to endorse all its deeds, even if we don’t agree with them,” said Gyanendra Raj Aran, chairperson of National Society for Conflict Victims. Aran has challenged the Committee’s call for applications for the posts in the commissioners, at the SC.

On August 5, he filed a writ petition at the apex court seeking an interim stay order to halt the Committee’s work. “The Committee ignored the petition and proceeded with its process. This is against the practice of halting work until the subjudice case is determined,” said Aran.

The participants also questioned the government’s decision to consult separately with victims of state and rebel violence. The committee is yet to consult with victims who suffered at the hands of security personnel.

“We set separate discussions to avoid any possible misunderstanding between the two groups,” said Pradip Pokharel, a Committee member. He said the Committee could fix a joint session if the victims wanted.

A discussion with the victims of state violence is scheduled for Friday, and with human rights lawyers for Sunday. According to Pokharel, the Committee will meet with civil society members after Dashain. It also plans to conduct four regional sessions before recommending names for the commissions.

Source : eKantipur.com

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