Diplomatic missions say truth and disappearance commissions must meet int’l standards

Foreign diplomatic missions based in Kathmandu have called on the Nepal government to make sure that establishment of commissions on truth and investigation of war-era disappearances meets international standards.

“The establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances as foreseen in the Comprehensive Peace Accord will help establish the facts about what happened during the 10-year long armed conflict and seek to provide justice to its victims. For Nepal’s peace process to move forward, it is important that the two Commissions are established soon and with legislation that not only meets international standards but also complies with the Supreme Court’s June 2007 ruling,” the diplomatic missions said in a joint statement.

In the statement, the UK, USA, Australia, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland also urged the Nepal government not to include broad amnesties for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the legal provisions on these commissions.

“We encourage the Government of Nepal to take into account the views of the National Human Rights Commission and victims groups when finalising the bills,” the statement said, adding, “As friends and well-wishers of Nepal, we reaffirm our continued commitment and support to Nepal at this important moment in its history. Effectively dealing with the legacy of the conflict will allow Nepal's transition to peace to continue on the basis of trust, truth and reconciliation.” nepalnews.com