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Nepal revising TRC ordinance: Envoy tells HR Council

Nepalese Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva has told the international community that Nepal is committed to forming transitional justice mechanism in line with the international standards and the provisions of the peace agreement and the Interim Constitution to suit specific needs of the country.

Addressing the General Segment of the High Level Segment of the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday, Ambassador Shankar Das Bairagi said the formation of transitional mechanism is an important step toward completing the peace process as well as laying concrete foundation for lasting peace.

“The ordinance for the formation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission is soon going to be resubmitted after necessary revisions for assent of the president,” he said.

The remarks by the envoy comes in the wake of the international community raising concerns over a provision of granting amnesty even to those involved in serious cases of human rights violations during the conflict in the proposed TRC ordinance that has reached the President´s Office.

While informing about Nepal´s efforts toward concluding the peace process, the envoy told the Council that the technical aspect of the peace process has been virtually completed with the integration of the Maoist combatants into the national army.

He also said that efforts are underway to forge consensus on holding elections to a new Constituent Assembly in a credible manner under a neutral non-partisan government. “The promulgation of the new constitution through the new Constituent Assembly will bring the peace process to its logical conclusion,” he said.

Also reiterating Nepal´s unflinching commitment to democracy, human rights, rule of law and inclusive development, the envoy said that the country has mainstreamed a rights-based approach in its development process.

“The Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007 guarantees human rights and fundamental freedoms to all citizens and we have put in place necessary legislative, policy and institutional measures for their realization,” he said.

The government is committed to strengthening the capacity of all human rights institutions from national to grassroots levels, ending impunity through effective enforcement of all possible measures, and the promotion of wider observance of the rule of law.

“Gender equality and mainstreaming remains a top priority and effective legal, policy and institutional measures are being taken to bring an end to the gender-based violence, including domestic violence in Nepal,” he further said.