Kathmandu, May 26

A meeting of the Central Executive Committee of Conflict Victims’ Common Platform has adopted its special resolution on the current issues related to transitional justice.

According to a press statement issued by CVCP, two commissions – the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on the investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons-failed to discharge their duties in accordance with the principles of transitional justice, goals of the Comprehensive Peace Accord and sentiment of the victims.

The forthcoming actions of CVCP should be based on TJ principles, CPA goals and sentiment of the stakeholders, keeping the matters of truth, dignity and justice for conflict victims at the centre, read the release.

“The two commissions were formed to serve narrow political interest on the basis of seat-sharing by political parties, which led to failure of the entire TJ process. It was clear that the commissions and establishing of TJ law were motivated by vested interests. So, the TJ law as well as the two commissions were rejected by the victims, civil society and international community,” the statement read.

The CVCP alleged that the commissioners were incompetent and without a sense of accountability to the victims and to the society, and worked mainly to save their jobs.

“It is no wonder that both commissions ended up sabotaging the TJ process, which was probably the idea behind those who appointed the commissioners. The commissioners engaged in seeking publicity and mobilising themselves to attack and divide the victims’ movement,” CVCP said.

If the government were to be honest to its commitments on transitional justice, it must review the process in its entirety against the standard of victim-centricism and human rights, the CVCP suggested.

“We demand that the commissions be staffed by competent, independent and qualified TJ experts,” it said.

The recommendation committee constituted by the government in April to suggest new names for chairs and commissioners to the TRC and CIEDP was formed in 2015. It has started its selection process.

The CVCP insisted that the recommended individuals should be from among reputed TJ experts in the country on whom the victims could repose their faith.

It advised that CIEDP would not be able to begin its work until the TJ law is amended.

“We demand that the government should postpone the recommendation process and start consultation on amendment of the law. The National Human Rights Commission should recall its representative from the recommendation committee.

The CVCP believes that the process of selecting new commissioners is a part of conspiracy to divert its attention from making an amendment to the TJ Act. This is not acceptable for conflict victims,” it read.

“If the former TRC and CIEDP commissioners are reappointed, the conflict victims will reject the commissions outright. The CVCP has been closely watching the unfolding events,” it stated.

The CVCP warned that if the former TRC and CIEDP commissioners were reappointed, the conflict victims would reject the commissions outright.