P M pilots TRC Bill promising formalisation of peace process

Kathmandu, 14 Aug: Prime Minister K P Oli today presented the Transitional Justice Bill in the House of Representatives claiming that the initiative will not only end the peace process formally, but it will also be an example for the world to follow.

Prime Minister Oli made a brief statement in the House. He said the bill and the action that will follow will block the way for return of the conflict in Nepal in future. Although the three beneficiary parties from the TJ act —Maoists, Nepali Congress and UML—have pledged their support ensuring its adoption by majority.

Maoist Chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal was apprehensive of smooth execution of the Truth and Reconciliation process. He expressed fear that the current political system itself might collapse before the TJ System is implemented.

Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba however, said the bill placed in the House met international standards and it endorsed the letter and spirit expressed by various verdicts of the supreme court on the issue.

The Supreme Court in the past had issued guidelines that prohibits government from granting general amnesty to those involved in heinous crimes like rape, torture, killing and forced disappearance. The bill however, waives 75 per cent of the punishment such crimes would have merited, with the provision that the conciliation in the remaining 25 per cent punishment can be reached only with the ‘consent’ of the victim.

Prime Minister Oli, however, preferred to call the bill a pro-victim or victim-friendly one.

Surya Kiran Gurung, former Chief of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission told Deshsanchar that while the current bill is an improvement upon the last one, there are many issues still to be sorted out. ‘Whether there will be separate punitive laws in heinous crimes and how the Attorney General–normally a party cadre or loyalist–would allow or not allow the prosecution of the people recommended by the TRC’.

Rajendra Lingden of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party said all sides must thank King Gyanendra for his initiative to the peace process.

Prime Minister Oli, ignoring claims of Indian leaders and bureaucrats that India had mediated in the peace process, asserted that it was a home grown initiative without outside involvement.