Kathmandu: The conflict victim community has expressed serious disagreement with and objected to what they call opaque, arbitrary, unreliable, misguided, and political party-based selection and appointment of office-bearers to the transitional justice commissions. They have said that the humiliating process was imposed on the victims and carried out without meaningful consultation, participation, and representation of the victim community. “It is completely unacceptable to us as victims of the conflict. We are not seeking favours from the government, nor do we want ritualistic, insulting, and mechanical reconciliation,” reads the statement issued by the victim community on Friday. “We once again clarify that we, the conflict victim community, seek a respectful and sustainable resolution to transitional justice. Let this be clear to all concerned.”
The victims say they have felt humiliated by the prejudiced behaviour of the government and the selection committee and such actions have also disrespected the Constitution. “The preamble of the Constitution itself expresses high respect for the sacrifices and contributions of the victim community. However, the recent behaviour of the government and the committee goes against that constitutional recognition,” they have said in the statement. “Furthermore, the meaningful participation of victims in the transitional justice process and the formation of an independent and impartial commission, as mandated by the Supreme Court on 2 January 2014, has been ignored.”
When the committee ignored the victim community who are primary stakeholders in the transitional justice process, they issued a press statement on 18 April 2025, publicly demanding a credible, transparent, and consultative selection process. They had also identified and recommended capable and widely respected individuals for shortlisting. “By disregarding our common concerns and denying opportunities for dialogue, the committee and the government conducted a non-transparent, unreliable, and mechanical selection and appointment,” the statement reads. “The entire conflict victim community is now in protest against this. Our protest and opposition will continue until this is corrected and a credible and transparent selection and appointment process is ensured.”
The conflict victims have appealed to the general public, human rights bodies, parliamentarians, the international community, and UN bodies to support their decisive and final struggle for the respectful implementation of the rights to truth, justice, and reparation. “We urge everyone to consider that the transitional justice process is not just a concern of the victims alone, but it is a nationally significant endeavour that can open the doors to lasting peace and prosperity in the country.” They have also called upon the individuals recommended by the selection committee to reject the appointment and to show solidarity with the conflict victim community, if they have even a basic understanding that the success of transitional justice lies in the ownership and trust of the victims.
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