Transitional Justice Commissions: High-profile names among applicants for chairperson

Kathmandu, November 21 — A total of 156 individuals have applied for the ten positions in the two transitional justice commissions. Among the applicants are notable high-profile figures, whose names were submitted institutionally without their personal consent.

Out of these, 89 applications were submitted physically, 20 online, 20 through organizations with institutional consent, and 27 without consent. For the role of chairpersons, 18 individuals applied personally either online or in person, while 11 applied without institutional approval, and 2 had institutional backing.

Prominent names like former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Kalyan Shrestha and former Law Minister Govinda Bandi are included in the list. On the final application day, November 19, organizations representing victims submitted 19 names, including Shrestha, Bandi, and senior advocate Radheshyam Adhikari, proposing them for the chairperson positions. The recommendation letter, signed by Bhagi Ram Chaudhary, Chairperson of the Conflict Victims' Committee, officially suggested their names.

Other applicants for the chairperson positions include Mandira Sharma, Chair of Advocacy Forum, and Subodh Raj Pyakurel, founder of INSEC.

Former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal and former National Human Rights Commission member Mohana Ansari are also among the candidates. Additional prominent applicants in the human rights sector include Gopal Nath Yogi, Suman Adhikari, Ram Kumar Bhandari, Birendra Thapaliya, and Shobhakar Budhathoki.

The application list also features names like Sushma Bajracharya, Bed Prasad Bhattarai, Krishna Chandra Chalise, Dr. Pashupati Mahat, Dr. Mina Paudel, Himal Gaire, Dr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada, Shalik Ram Sapkota, Phanindra Luitel, and Satish Raj Mainali. Furthermore, legal professionals such as Raju Prasad Chapagain, Laxmi Pokhrel, Santosh Babu Sigdel, Rukmini Maharjan, Rajan Prasad Kuinkel, Pranika Koyu, Kashiram Dhungana, Bikil Sthapit, Tika Dhakal, Sirjana Pokharel Siwakoti, and Basanta Gautam have applied.

Among the 156 applicants, 125 individuals, including several women, have applied for membership in both commissions. According to Chairperson Om Prakash Mishra, the names of the applicants will soon be made public for feedback. After collecting public comments, the recommendation committee will finalize its work.

The government formed the recommendation committee after amending laws to address the long-delayed transitional justice process. Once the committee completes its recommendations, the government will appoint the officials, enabling the commissions to begin their work.