Kathmandu, June 30

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is all set to finalise its directive so as to commence inquiry into complaints lodged by the conflict victims at the transitional justice body.

TRC member Madhabi Bhatta told The Himalayan Times that review of the draft directive was under way and would be finalised within a matter of days. TRC has not been able to investigate into complaints filed by the conflict victims in absence of the directive.

Earlier, Bhatta had charged that TRC Secretariat and its office-bearers intentionally delayed the directive.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has so far has received as many as 45,000 cases of human rights violations committed during the decade-long insurgency.

The TRC is expected to receive over 50,000 conflict-era cases of human rights violations by July 17, the deadline for filing complaints against human rights violations during the conflict, said TRC officials.

“Investigations into conflict-era cases will be carried out in two phases.

In the first phase, a study will be conducted on whether the cases have been backed by substantial evidences related to human rights violations,” said TRC member Manchala Jha.

She also added that the number of murders and property seizures would be established in the first phase.

In the second phase, investigation into serious crimes like murder, abduction, rape and physical and mental tortures would be carried out, she said.

The TRC is receiving cases of human rights violations from 73 districts across the country, except Manang and Mustang.

Local peace committees receive the complaints at local level while a special arrangement has been made to receive complaints from women.

Law regarding amnesty cannot applied to provide protection to the perpetrators of serious human rights violations. Member Jha has urged all conflict victims to file the complaints without fear for justice.