Government at work to conclude transitional justice: PM Oli

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government was committed to making successful the works of two transitional justice commissions.

Addressing the national conference on transitional justice organized jointly by the Accountability Watch Committee and the Conflict Victims’ Organization in the federal capital today, PM Oli said the works of the previous commissions on transitional justice would be reviewed rigorously. All sides should be aware and devoted to make further work result oriented, he stressed.

The Head of the government reminded that the bill on transitional justice was passed by the federal Parliament on consensus in order to conclude the peace process, thereby ensuring justice and reparation to the conflict victims. The Act would be helpful to not repeat the violence, PM Oli said, adding that another recommendation committee was also formed after the consensus among top leaders of the major parties to select members to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enquiry of Enforced Disappeared Persons.

“All Nepalis want to forget the wound of conflict. We have ditched violence. Let us not repeat such activities. Let’s ensure justice to conflict victims,” he said, however, regretting that we failed to take the peace process to a logical conclusion even in 18 years. Now, we all should be serious about concluding the peace process. Action will be taken against those violating human rights, he vowed.

The PM mentioned, “It is not necessary to talk about observing the armed conflict as a ceremony or announcing a public holiday. Such a thing makes victims more victimized.” Stressing the need of support from the international community to take transitional justice to a conclusion, the PM shared that Nepal has been taking efforts to find a solution through a unique way.

He also urged everyone not to produce unnecessary issues linking them to transitional justice. Transitional justice and removal of an employee at government bodies are starkly different, according to him.

PM Oli clarified that the country could not backtrack from the federal democratic republic as it was established through people’s struggle and sacrifice.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal were also present on the occasion.