House committee to confer with UN rights organisation over TRC Bill

The Parliamentary Special Committee on Monitoring of Implementation of Comprehensive Peace Agreement has invited representatives of UNMIN, OHCHR and National Human Rights Commission to confer over the provisions of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Bill.

"We have called UNMIN, OHCHR and national rights bodies on August 9 for the consultations at 8 am," Malla K. Sundar, a member of the House committee told Nepalnews.

The House committee has decided to consult with the UN rights bodies following the latters' objections regarding some provisions of the bill.

A few days ago, Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR-Nepal) had sent a document to the government detailing its comments on draft TRC bill.

"With regard to the provisions of the draft TRC bill, OHCHR-Nepal is deeply concerned about provisions which would amnesty the perpetrators of gross human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law (IHL), including extrajudicial execution, torture and disappearances. Amnesty provisions which prevent prosecution for these offences are inconsistent with Nepal's obligations under international law," the OHCHR-Nepal said in a statement.

The OHCHR-Nepal has stated that its other concerns include the lack of safeguards regarding the independence, impartiality and diversity of the Commission, both in relation to the selection of commissioners and in relation to operational and financial matters.

The bill proposes the creation of a TRC with a mandate to investigate the facts surrounding the commission of gross violations of human rights and crimes against humanity committed during the course of the armed conflict between 13 February 1996 and 21 November 2006. The Commission, which will consist of up to seven commissioners, will have two years, with a possibility of a 12-month extension, to complete its work. It will then provide the Government with a report of its findings, and recommendations as to reconciliation, prosecutions, amnesty and reparations.

Meanwhile, Malla added that the House committee also held a meeting with Home Minister Krishna Sitaula on Tuesday. "Minister Sitaula has assured that he will be present with facts regarding the implementation or non-implementation of peace agreement within seven days. He will also talk about government's perspective on the truth commission then," said Malla. nepalnews.com sd Aug 07 07

Related news
- Truth Commission 'soon'