TRC to wrap up probe into Nepal war-era cases in 10 months

KATHMANDU: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission plans to complete probe into human rights violations from the decade-long armed conflict in Nepal within 10 months.

According to a plan of action set up by the transitional justice mechanism, the Commission would submit its final report to the government by the first half of February next year.

The Commission presented its plan of action at a meeting of the Social Justice and Human Rights Committee of the Parliament today.

The mechanism plans to collect complaints on human rights violation during the war era, from April 17 to June 16, via District Peace Committee Secretariats.

Then, a probe committee involving experts would carry out a preliminary investigation into the complaints in next three months before launching a comprehensive investigation.

The detailed investigation process would last as long as six months.

Upon completion of the investigation, the Commission would recommend the government to take actions against perpetrators of human rights violation cases and manage reconciliation, relief, resettlement, compensation, reparation, treatment and amnesty to the victims.

The Commission also plans to issue identity cards to victims of the conflict before concluding the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Commission published a public notice today requesting members of the public to register their complaints on war-era human rights violation cases involving civilians, including murder, abduction and hostage, injuries, physical and psychological harassment and torture, rape and sexual violence, property crimes, enforced displacement and other activities deemed crimes against humanity as per the international human rights and humanitarian laws.

Besides the Peace Committee Secretariats, complaints can also be filed via post box, email, phone or in person.

The Parliamentary panel, meanwhile, today urged the Commission to implement its plan of action effectively and also told the concerned ministries to extend needful cooperation.

Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ek Nath Dhakal, acting Peace and Reconstruction Secretary Shankar Prasad Kharel, Commission Chairman Surya Kiran Gurung and Secretary Narendra Man Shrestha were summoned at the meeting today.