Kathmandu, Oct 30: Conflict victims have again requested the government of Nepal to facilitate the meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and share their concern over the remaining task of peace process, including transitional justice, reparation.
An alliance of four conflict-related organization have written an appeal to Guterres on this regard.
The appeal says, “We are happy that Nepal’s peace process and transitional justice form a prominent part of your current visit’s agenda. We have been gratified by your public call for our transitional justice process to follow precepts of international humanitarian law, judgements of Nepal’s Supreme
Court and the needs of conflict victims.
“However, we are distressed that we, the victims of Nepal’s decade-long conflict, have not been included in your itinerary. As far as the peace process is concerned, we note that your scheduled meetings have been with leaders of the former warring sides but not citizens who were victimised
by actions of the state on the one hand, and the rebels on the other.
“For this reason, Mr. Secretary-General, between now and the time of your departure on Wednesday morning (1 November), we request you to find time for a meeting so that victim representatives may share with your our collective pain, experience of the TJ process thus far, our efforts for credible TI process and suggestions Mr. Secretary-General, as you understand, Nepal’s peace process has the possibility of succeeding where so many others have failed, and stand as an example for post-conflict societies. For this, it is important to ensure success of the Nepali process, with immediate provision of reparation to victims, and a principled truth, justice, reparation and reconciliation process that includes accountability of heinous crimes.
“While our own Government has not been enthused to arrange a meeting between us, we hope that this request for an appointment by us victims, united regardless of the source of our pain, will be considered positively by you” the appeal says.
The Chairperson Rupesh Shah of Nepal Society of
Families of Disappeared and Missing Nepal (NEFAD), Chairperson Surendra KC of National Network of Disabled Conflict Victims (NNCOV),
Chairperson Srijana Singh of Conflict Victim
Women National Network (CVWN), Chairperson Gopal Shah of Conflict Victims National Alliance (CVNA) and Acting Chairperson Kalyan Budhathoki of Conflict Victms Common Platform (CVCP) have signed the joint appeal.
Photo -pradeep raj Onta
