Christians Welcome New Draft Bill for Peace & Reconciliation in Nepal

Nepal's Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction has published the first draft of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Bill.

Establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was an integral part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in November 2006 to end the fighting between the security forces and the CPN (Maoist) forces. The draft bill, published at the end of July, was presented at a consultation on 2 August 2007, organised by the Peace and Reconstruction Ministry.

The proposed Commission will consist of seven Commissioners selected by a government-appointed body. They will be given two years, with the possibility of extension, to complete their investigations and report their findings to the government. This will include recommendations for reconciliation, prosecutions, granting amnesty, and reparations for human rights violations committed during the fighting.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has expressed concern over the possibility of granting amnesty to perpetrators of human rights violations, which include extra-judicial execution, torture, and disappearances.

They also expressed concern that the proposed appointment structure lacks "safeguards regarding the independence, impartiality and diversity of the Commission".

Dr. KB Rokaya, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Nepal and Vice-President of the Inter-Religious Council of Nepal, spoke at the 2 August consultation. He welcomed the draft Bill, emphasising that "the focus is on bringing out the truth on human rights violations and crimes committed by both sides during the conflict and achieving reconciliation, healing and peace rather than on punishing the guilty".

He went on to call for the full involvement of all Nepali religious communities in the TRC, drawing examples from similar Commissions formed in other countries.

"The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be incomplete without the involvement of the representatives from various religious communities in Nepal," he said.

The bill will now pass through parliament in Nepal before the Commission is established.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Advocacy Director, Alexa Papadouris, said: "We welcome this important development in the implementation of the peace process agreements; agreements which must be implemented in full to prevent the process from falling apart. Religious groups were deeply involved in advocating and supporting the present peace process, and the inclusion of all religious groups is vital to the success of the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

"The impartiality of the Commission and its independence from the government are imperative for its acceptance by all parties, as it will ensure all stakeholders in the process are given ownership of the peaceful future of the country."