Conflict Victims Urge Prime Minister Balendra Shah to Prioritize Transitional Justice

Kathmandu. The conflict-affected community has written an open letter to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, strongly demanding that the issue of transitional justice be placed at the forefront of the government's agenda.

More than 40 conflict-victim organizations and networks jointly submitted the letter on Thursday, expressing serious concern that this issue was not included in the government's 100-point governance agenda.

The victims complained that even two decades after the end of the armed conflict, their rights to truth, justice, and reparation remain unassured. Noting that previous commissions were formed based on political power-sharing and failed to yield meaningful results, they have also questioned the legitimacy of the current commission.

The letter demands the appointment of new commissioners through a transparent and competitive process and calls for the amendment of the current flawed act in accordance with international standards and Supreme Court precedents.

The letter, submitted by organizations including the Conflict Victims Common Platform and the National Network of Conflict-Affected Women, states, 'If inaction is shown in transitional justice, the consequences will manifest as renewed dissatisfaction and conflict.'

They have drawn the government's attention to the need to remove legal provisions that promote impunity, ensure the meaningful participation of victims, and provide for non-discriminatory reparations.

They have also urged the powerful near two-thirds majority government not to miss this historic opportunity to heal the wounds of the victims.