Kathmandu, January 29:

The International Commission of Jurists today urged the government to reaffirm its commitment to check disappearances by ratifying the International Convention for the

Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances and formulating laws to implement the provisions of the convention.

ICJ also urged the government to investigate allegations of past disappearances and try the rights violators in civil courts. “Given the history of enforced disappearances in Nepal, ratifying the international convention would be a historic step,” said Nicholas Howen, the ICJ secretary General. The ICJ also pointed out 2,028 cases of disappearance and the situation of 645 disappeared persons highlighted by the National Human Rights Commission.

The ICJ also urged the government to implement the provisions of the Interim Constitution that ensure relief for the families of the victims.