Kathmandu, November 21:

The US Agency for International Development (USAID/Nepal) supported court-referred mediation centre was launched at the Dolakha District Court in Charikot on Thursday.

Inaugurating the centre, Rana Bahadur Bam, Chief Judge of the Patan Appellate Court said the mediation centres ensured greater access to justice for all Nepalis by alleviating the overwhelming case burden on the formal justice system, a press statement issued by the US embassy here said.

Introducing mediation centres was an important component of USAID/Nepal’s Rule of Law programme. USAID/Nepal’s support for the mediation programme includes the development of a standardised mediation curriculum and training manual, training on mediation practices and public education campaigns on the benefits of court-referred mediation.

USAID/Nepal’s two-year programme to strengthen the rule of law is being implemented by the Asia Foundation and its local NGO partners. The goal of the programme is to build the institutional capacity of the judiciary, promote alternative dispute resolution, and increase access to justice to help consolidate peace and improve democratic governance in Nepal.

“The programme endeavours to build on previous USAID successes and strengthen local capacity for sustainable as well as tangible benefits. It seeks optimum impact by drawing on local resources and working closely with crucial state actors, such as the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Constituent Assembly”, said Beth S Paige, Mission Director of USAID/Nepal.

“The programme will help to consolidate, improve, and expand sustainable mediation services towards the larger goal of establishing a culture of constructive, non-violent conflict resolution.”

Ramchandra Rai and Balendra Rupakheti, newly appointed District Court Judges and the Chief District Officer, Kashi Raj Dahal were also present on the occasion.

Under the Rule of Law programme, USAID is supporting the establishment of four mediation centres. The first one was launched in the Lalitpur District Court earlier this year; Dolakha is the second; a third one will soon be opened in Kavrepalanchowk District Court and one more is planned.

USAID/Nepal funded the establishment of three mediation centres under a previous programme, the statement read.