KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 29
In the wake of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres' four-day visit to Nepal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire held a meeting today with him and discussed the Transitional Justice process.
During the meeting, Secretary General of the United Nations said the United Nations was ready to provide necessary assistance to complete the transitional justice process in Nepal.
"I have expressed my belief that transitional justice will help bring peace to the victims, their families and communities," Guterres said.
"As Nepal embarks on the final stage of the completion of the peace process, the United Nations is committed to support Nepal to develop a process that meets international standards, the Supreme Court's rulings and the needs of victims and to put it into practice."
Likewise, Speaker Ghimire said Nepal was committed to bringing the transitional justice process to its logical conclusion through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons Nepal.
"A rigorous discussion is going on in the Parliament and the parliamentary committee for the formulation of laws in relation to both commissions," he said. "We are optimistic that we will bring the peace process to its conclusion soon," he added.
Speaker Ghimire mentioned that Nepal is the country of Lord Gautam Buddha. He also emphasised that Nepal is the land of people who love peace and believe in harmony.
He said Nepal's achievements in the peace process could become a model for the world.
"The specific efforts here can also be an example for demonstration of unrest and conflict resolution for other parts of the earth."
Speaker Ghimire further said Nepal's transitional justice process was guided by the comprehensive peace agreement concluded between the government and the then rebel parties in 2006, the instructions of the Supreme Court, relevant international stakeholders, the interests of the victimised parties and the ground level situation. "Following this, Nepal has successfully concluded the peace process with its originality, national identity and led by itself," he added.
Speaker Ghimire also highlighted the significant role played by the United Nations Mission as a mediator, in addition to assisting in completion of the peace process of Nepal.
Speaker Ghimire thanked Guterres for visiting Nepal despite his busy schedule and giving time to address the Parliament. Guterres is addressing a joint session of the Federal Parliament at 4:00pm on Tuesday.
There is a provision in the Parliament of Nepal itself that the Secretary General of the United Nations can address the Parliament.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 30, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
