Rights activists criticise Maoist peace plan

THT ONLINE

KATHMANDU: A group of human rights activists, journalists and professionals have expressed strong disapproval of the UCPN- Maoist’s proposal on peace and statute— particularly condemning the proposal of withdrawing all the court against Maoist leaders and cadres—by issuing a press statement.

"The proposal of withdrawing all the court cases against Maoist leaders and cadres and to grant general amnesty to those on whom the courts have already passed sentences incorporated in the 'peace plan' is highly objectionable and condemnable," reads a press statement issued by 13 human rights activists, journalists and professionals today.

"The proposal is against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Interim Constitution and accountability of Nepal to international law."

According to the statement,to put an end to the culture of impunity by bringing the guilty to book through fact-finding investigation is a top priority of the ongoing peace process. But contrary to this, a bid to institutionalize the culture of impunity is being perpetrated in practice.

The latest proposal floated by the Maoist will also contribute to irrationalise the transitional justice mechanisms, including Disappearances Commission and Truth and Reconciliation Commission, argues the press statement.

The statement also blamed the Maoist for trying to institutionalize the impunity through amnesty instead of bringing the guilty involved in serious crimes to book at a time when it was exercising to lead the new government with pledges to conclude peace and constitution-drafting process.

"It is a need of hour to address the incidents of serious crimes and human rights violations committed in the past for making the ongoing peace process a success. Therefore, we would like to appeal to UCPN- Maoist to roll back the proposal so as to do justice on victims and complete the peace process," says the statement.

It has also called on all political parties, civil societies and stakeholders to protest the proposal.

Those signatories of the statement are Kapil Shrestha, Sushil Pyakurel, Baburam Giri, Govinda Sharma Bandi, Subodh Pyakurel, Hari Phuyal, Tikaram Bhattarai, Birendra Thapalia, Mandira Sharma, Dr Kedar Narsingh KC, Charan Prasai, Amuda Shrestha and Kanak Mani Dixit.