Human rights activists and conflict victims have complained that the government and the political parties have neglected to conclude the peace process.
This was said by the speakers participating in the program organized by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) on the occasion of the International Day of Justice on July 18, 2021.
Dr. Indira Shrestha, Chairperson of INSEC said that it is ironic that the victims of the conflict have not received justice even after years of the Comprehensive Peace Accord.
Dr. Shrestha claimed that there was a lack of sincerity and the state is not sensitive towards the issues of conflict victims. She further added that one of the reasons behind victims not getting justice was also the lack of unity among the victims. She also urged the civil leaders not to stay behind in demonstrating their strength.
Likewise, INSEC’s Executive Committee Member Shobhakar Budhathoki has accused both the state and political parties for trying to obstruct the delivery of justice to the victims.
He said it is extremely important for the people in the government to stop saving themselves and placing those favouring them in the commission.
Maina Karki, Chairperson of the Conflict Victims’ Common Platform furiously expressed that the government had recently extended the term of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons and its officials for one year which has inflicted more pain on the victims.
Karki expressed her commitment to keep fighting for justice because there is no other option than protest.
Karki also said that she doesn’t have faith in any of the commissions that survived on the relief which actually came for the victims.
Bijay Raj Gautam, Executive Director of INSEC informed that INSEC has constantly taken initiative for transitional justice and expressed commitment to fight for the justice of the victims in the future as well. He added, ‘the reluctance of the political parties and government to solve the problems of the conflict victims is a serious issue.’
Similarly, Sarita Gyawali, Human Rights Officer from the National Human Rights Commission informed that the tasks to be done for the victims should always be updated. She also assured that the commission is always with the victims. Gyawali said that the perpetrators could not be brought to book due to legal problems.
Human Rights Activist Indra Aryal said that if the civil society is to be blamed for the disappointment of the conflict victims then they should correct themselves.
Chief of INSEC Human Rights Documentation and Advocacy Department, Shreeram Bajagain, urged civil society to expand their discussions beyond the civil groups.