'Conflict victims-friendly laws needed'

Conflict victims participating in a discussion here today ruled that the bill tabled in parliament to amend the Act Related to Truth and Reconciliation Commission was not in their favour.

A proposal seeking consideration on the Bill to Amend the Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act-2071 BS was approved in the House of Representatives last Sunday.

Participants expressed their objection, saying the Act divided conflict-era cases into two parts- human rights violation and serious human rights violation. And categorizing the State-perpetrated crimes as serious violations of human rights had blocked the way for the victims of incidents caused by insurgents or unknown groups to get legal recourse.

Hari Subedi, one of the victims of conflict-era, lamented, "Only I know how much of my properties were looted and how much I was tortured. Many of my witnesses have died by now. The current Act and Bill do not stand up and speak up for my agony." He bemoaned that his hope to get justice died.

Similarly, another victim Sabitri Khadka, remarked that the Bill was one-sided. A majority of them grieved that the Act was silent on the justice for the victims. They opined that there was a lack of a strong drive in political leadership to deal with the conflict-era cases and to deliver justice to the victims.

Furthermore, they blamed that Commissions were formed to deal with conflict-era cases just on the basis of political power sharing and to recruit party cadres rather than deliver justice to the victims.

Mandira Sharma, founder of Advocacy Forum Nepal, commented that the Bill had flaws on the part of the State. She stressed that all victims should get justice and the Bill should be such that all should be able to take ownership of it.

According to her, there should be a situation where all victims should get justice and be able to forgive the perpetrator if possible.

Furthermore, she said that the State should also consider reparation for the victims rather than only focusing on compensation in cash. "By doing so, the wounds of the conflict-era could be healed completely."

Participants in the discussion were Netra Prasad Bhusal, Registrar at the High Court, Baglung, Surya Prasad Bhandari, record keeper at the District Court, Baglung, representatives from political parties and victims among others.

Advocate Ram Sharma shared that the discussion was organized to solicit suggestions on the Bill and to send them to the concerned authorities in a bid to make the Bill victim-friendly.