Kathmandu, June 7

The chairpersons of two transitional justice mechanisms — the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons — have said adjudication of conflict-era cases was delayed as they were awaiting amendment to related acts from the Parliament.

Speaking at a meeting of Social Justice and Human Rights Committee of the Parliament today to discuss the progress report and action plan the two transitional justice bodies, they said they were facing difficulties in carrying out their work due to the delay in amending the Act and lack of resources.

On the occasion, Chairman of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Surya Kiran Gurung said although it was difficult to carry out work in absence of resources, the commission had started its work by setting up its offices in all seven provinces.  He said the commission had so far received 58,000 complaints and it had come to their notice that many people were yet to register their cases. The TRC is planning to issue a notice on June 15, seeking complaints from women victims of rights violation, he added.

The TRC chairperson stated that regarding the cases requiring reconciliation, they lack a Reconciliation Act and were awaiting amendment to the commission’s Act to deal with cases relating to extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, rape and torture which fall under the category of serious human rights violation.

CIEDP Chairman Lokendra Mallik said his office had received 3,093 complaints and decided to investigate 102 cases. He added that they would expedite their work after the related laws are amended.

Committee members Gyanu Gaire, Geeta Chhetri, Kaishal Shah, Ram Maya Bogati and Basundhara Rokaya, among others, demanded that the government immediately forward the process for amending the Act to ensure speedy justice to conflict victims.

Committee Chair  Sushil Kumar Shrestha directed the two commissions to inform the panel why they were facing difficulties in carrying out their tasks.