Transitional Justice Commission: Government to extend tenure for seventh time

Kathmandu: The government is set to present a decision to extend the deadline of the Transitional Justice Commission for the seventh time to Parliament on Monday. Law Minister Ajay Kumar Chaurasia will submit this decision following an extension of the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act, 2014.

The extension, which has been approved by the Council of Ministers, will be introduced at the House of Representatives meeting. If approved, it will extend the Commission's tenure by one year.

This will be the seventh extension for the Commission, which has so far operated with only administrative staff due to the absence of appointed officials. Despite the Act specifying the term of office, the Commission has been functioning without its official members.

The decision to advance the bill comes after political parties reached an agreement on four key points. During the 10-year armed conflict, it was agreed to establish a commission to investigate human rights violations committed by both state and rebel forces. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement promised such a commission would be formed within six months, but this has yet to be accomplished.

The government had previously extended the tenure of the transitional justice commissions in June 2023 and October 2022. Although a bill to amend the existing law was introduced, it could not be ratified from the parliament. The Council of Ministers has since continued to extend the deadline for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons.

Recently, a working group comprising Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula, and Maoist Center's Janardan Sharma reached an agreement. Preparations are now underway to advance the bill in the coming days.