Restorative dialogue Ramro Aakha Ma

KATHMANDU: A documentary Ramro Aakha Ma (In the Eyes of the Good) was launched and screened in a programme 'Supporting the Peace Process in Nepal with Nonviolent Communication and Restorative Dialogue' held at Hotel Himalaya, Kupondole on April 29.

London-based Carolyn Davies has directed the documentary that captures opinions of different people — former Maoist combatants, conflict victims, and government officials — who had participated in 'International Training on Nonviolent Communication (NVC)' in December 2014 for a week.

The training aimed to have a restorative dialogue using methodology of Restorative Circles — a community process that supports people in conflict by bringing together everyone involved and creating conditions for mutually beneficial action.

And the documentary showed how and why the participants were reluctant for having a dialogue between each other initially. After four days in the training, they were willing to open up — they talked about their pain, suffering and needs which were completely different. Few needed the answer about their disappeared family members, some asked to get recognised in the society again as dignified citizens, some needed employment opportunities even being differently abled after the conflict.

The documentary also showed what can happen when people are able to connect with one another, even having differences and are enemies.

The training was organised by Pro Public with the support of Civil Peace Service(CPS)/GIZ. "The documentary was produced to inspire those involved in the transitional justice process in Nepal and to raise awareness about restorative dialogue as tool for healing, reconciliation and justice," expressed Rita Shrestha, Local Professional at Pro Public.

In the programme, Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission, Nepal, Anup Raj Sharma, Chairperson of Commission for Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, Nepal Lokendra Mallik and Chairperson of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Nepal, Surya Kiran Gurung among others were present and gave remarks on the documentary.

Meanwhile, Gurung informed, "TRC, established for two years, is responsible for finding out the truth about incidents of gross violation of human rights in the course of armed conflict and providing recommendation for legal actions. Nine-and-half months are remaining and till now 2,344 people have filed complaints in TRC which we are working on it."

The documentary is also available online on YouTube.