KATHMANDU, JULY 31

Victim groups protested at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu today against the flawed provisions in the bill to amend the Transitional Justice Law.

The protest was organised by Victims' Society for Justice, Conflict Victim Women National Network, Conflict Victims' Common Platform. The victims have objected to some of the provisions of the 'Bill to amend the Commission for Investigation, Truth and Reconciliation Act, 2071'.

They demand that the bill registered by the government in the House of Representatives on 15 July 2022 should be amended as some provisions have been placed to give immunity to the perpetrators.

They came out on the road demanding immediate revision of the suggestions received from the consultation and objectionable provisions placed against the mandate of the Supreme Court and international commitments.

They objected that even the commitment made by the ministry was not mentioned in the amendment.

Victims' group said, "Though the TJ bill has positive provision such as reparations, it contains various provisions that violate the victim's right." They said it had the provision of amnesty to those involved in severe crime, which violates human rights and contradicts international laws.

Crimes such as murder, torture, rape and other forms of serious war crimes and crime against humanity are unacceptable under national and international law. According to the victims, the bill seeks to allegedly give immunity to the perpetrators instead of bringing justice to the victims and bringing the perpetrators under the legal ambit.

Senior Advocate Dinesh Tripathi said, "The bill has faulty provisions which contradicts the constitution and denies justice to the victims." According to him, the bill has the provision of amnesty for heinous crimes such as rape, murder and torture, which is against humanity and international law. It only hijacks justice from the victims' group.

Director at the NDFN Suman Adhikari said the bill had addressed the issues of victims' group in very narrow manner.

"The bill needs to be discussed thoroughly in the Parliament before being passed." He further said all the law-making authorities should hold their accountability and address the issues of victims' group. Vice chairperson of Dwanda Pidit Sajha Chautari Bhojraj Timilsina said, "The country is facing such situation due to this kind of law and lawmakers and the country will regret if such acts are not amended on time".

"This kind of protest can be launched again if our demand is not addressed on time," said Timilsina.

Gopal Prashad Shah said, "Earlier, Law minister had taken our suggestions but he tabled the bill in House of Representative which did not include any points from our consultations and suggestions.

And the bill has been introduced which contains several provisions in favour of perpetrators not victims' group".

Victim Kalyan Budhathoki from Manthali Municipality of Ramechhap district said, "Earlier, the law minister had supported our cause, but now the bill has been introduced against victims' group. So, we have been compelled to protest on the road for our cause."

Budhathoki was threatened and his property was captured during the Maoist insurgency. Since 1999, he has joined victims' group and is fighting for justice. Similarly, Savitri Khadka from Baglung said her father was killed during the armed conflict at home. "Since then, I have been seeking justice for my father's death. But this new bill on the TJ has no provision for victims like us."

A version of this article appears in the print on August 1, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.