Kathmandu, April 18

Supreme Court Justice nominee Hari Phuyal today told the Parliamentary Hearing Committee during confirmation hearing that the country’s transitional justice issues should be resolved through the two transitional justice bodies: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission for Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons.

“There has been understanding among political parties on this issue,” he said, replying to a query of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Yogesh Bhattarai.

Panel member Bhattarai had asked him whether transitional justice issues should be addressed through transitional justice mechanism or through the courts.

Bhattarai said some people were using transitional justice issues to intimidate political leaders. Phuyal, a human rights expert and former attorney general, said most of the incidents should be resolved by the commissions themselves. “Some issues of transitional justice, particularly serious crimes, can be addressed by the court,” he said.