Maoists demand TRC panel seat

KATHMANDU, APR 02 - The UCPN ( Maoist ) has demanded its participation in the process of drafting the bills on transitional justice mechanism. The party, as a signatory to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), objected the government's 'unilateral move' to prepare bills on Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission on Enforced Disappearances in parliament.

 The government had formed an 11-member expert taskforce to draft the bills last week, which courted controversy over inclusion of a retired police official indicted in extra judicial killing during the insurgency. However, he quit the taskforce following protests from victims' families and rights defenders.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, UCPN ( Maoist ) lawmaker Hitraj Pandey said that the government has been "irresponsible" to entrust bureaucrats instead of real stakeholders to prepare such crucial bills.

"The government is working on TRC bills without taking political parties into confidence at a time when we are engaged in the constitution drafting process," Pandey told the House. He warned to stage protests both in parliament and out in the streets if their concerns are not addressed immediately.

The government plans to table the bills in parliament within next week. The team has been consulting with human rights lawyers and other stakeholders to draft the bills despite opposition from victims' organisations.

The Maoist party has been urging the government not to arrest their cadres in connection with war-era cases, arguing that such cases should only be dealt through TRC.

It has also suggested that the government consult the CPN- Maoist while preparing the bills. The two Maoist parties have already announced their alliance against revival of war-era cases.

"The government is only tasked with preparing and presenting the bills to parliament. The House will then hold discussions and take decisions," Nara Hari Acharya, Minister for Law and Justice told the Post this week. The taskforce has continued consultations with stakeholders.

On Tuesday, the National Human Rights Commission urged the government to ensure maximum representation of victims in the team.

During a meeting, the commission asked team members to hold talks with all stakeholders and include their suggestions while drafting the bills.

Victims draw attention of global community

The National Victims Alliance, a coalition of 15 victims' organisations, on Tuesday drew attention of the international community to the process of transitional justice mechanism.

In a letter to UN Resident Coordinator Jamie McGoldrick and ambassador of EU Delegation to Nepal Rensje Teerink, the Alliance said the process of transitional justice mechanism has been faulty, saying that the taskforce comprises a person indicted in rights violations, an active politician  instead of real victims. The taskforce should be reformed after consultations with the victims regarding the selection of members, victims' representatives and conflict expert. "The overall process must be inclusive, transparent, consultative and participatory," said the letter.