ICTJ Joins Partners in Urging Attention to Transitional Justice in Nepal

8/23/2012

Groups concerned with human rights and transitional justice in Nepal have sought to bring the situation to the attention of Pablo de Greiff, the first Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of nonrecurrence.

The cover letter submitted to Mr. de Greiff clarified the urgency of the situation in Nepal:

"We are writing to draw your attention to negative impact on efforts to secure truth, justice and redress of victims of gross human rights violations and international humanitarian law following the recent dissolution of Nepal’s Constituent Assembly (CA) and the subsequent political instability. This is of urgent concern because there is a danger that a transitional justice mechanism could be enacted through an ordinance by the interim government. This law will most likely be weak, provide amnesty to perpetrators, and fail to ensure justice. In the unlikely event that it is a strong law, however, it is likely to be revoked once a new government is in place."

The briefing note that was submitted summarizes how the recent dissolution of Nepal’s Constituent Assembly (CA) and Legislature-Parliament and subsequent political instability will negatively impact the rights to truth, justice and redress of victims of gross human rights violations and international humanitarian law.