Kathmandu, August 30:

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)-Nepal today called on the government to from an independent high-level commission on missing persons.

The OHCHR call came as the world celebrated the International Day of the Disappeared today. The UN body said hundreds of individuals disappeared in Nepal during the decade-long conflict.

“The OHCHR-Nepal has continually urged the Government of Nepal to establish a commission to investigate the whereabouts of the disappeared and to prosecute individuals from both parties to the conflict who are found responsible for those acts,” a press release issued by the OHCHR said.

Acting Representative of OHCHR-Nepal, Sandra Beidas, said that the historic June 1 verdict of the Supreme Court on the missing persons should be followed and a commission of inquiry based on international human rights standards set up.

“This decision raised hopes that steps would finally be taken to meet the families’ demands for truth, justice and reparations. However, three months later the SC ruling has yet to be implemented,” the release said.