Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki says the Government is committed to ending transitional justice soon. He expressed the commitment in a program organized by the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons on August 30, 2021, on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance.
Every year, the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance is celebrated on August 30.
Minister Karki said, ‘Today’s day should remind us to create an environment of sustainable peace and reconciliation.’
Stating that the victims have been waiting for justice for a long time, Minister Karki restated the government’s commitment to resolving the issue as soon as possible.
The program was attended by human rights activists, civil society leaders and representatives of the government.
Member of the National Assembly, Ram Narayan Bidari, also the chairperson of the Delegated Legislative and Government Assurance Committee, said that the enforced disappearance of a person is a crime against humanity therefore the perpetrators should be identified and brought to book. He further added that the process of justice should not be delayed.
He said, ‘The current act should be amended after which the disappeared persons can be traced and the victims’ families can get justice.’
Ganesh Dutta, Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission said that it was a matter of disgrace that the conflict victims have not got justice even after 15 years of the Comprehensive Peace Accord.
Dr. Gangadhar Adhikari, spokesperson and member of the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, informed that out of the 3,243 complaints registered with the commission so far, 2,496 complaints are under investigation.
He said, “On the basis of documented complaints up till now, the number of enforced disappeared persons is 2,532.”
The families of the victims also participated in the program and demanded to publicize the condition of the enforced disappeared persons. They also asked the commission to conclude the process of transitional justice as soon as possible.