EU calls for transitional justice mechanism in Nepal

First Published: Friday, December 09, 2011, 21:47

Kathmandu: The European Union mission in Kathmandu have urged Nepal government and political parties in Nepal to expedite the process of establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and a commission on Inquiry on Disappearances so as to address the impunity of the decade long conflict and to provide transitional justice. 

We urge the Legislative Parliament to agree quickly on the transitional justice mechanisms such as establishing the TRC and a Commission on Disappearances to address impunity, said a joint press release issued by the EU Mission in Kathmandu together with Norway, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan on the eve of International Human Rights Day.

Acknowledging the progress made by Nepal in the area of human rights during the last few years, the EU Mission and other partners have called on the government of Nepal to make additional strong efforts to protect and promote fundamental human rights and to meet its obligations under international law in order to consolidate peace and democracy.

 They also urged that the Bill on the National Human Rights Commission secures a sound legal base that guarantees its independence.

They called on the Nepal Government to ensure that the rights of journalists, lawyers and other human rights defenders are upheld in order that they are able to play their rightful role in a democracy and that activists enjoy the full protection of the rule of law.
They have also reaffirmed their continued commitment and full support to Nepal at this pivotal moment in its history.

Source: ZeeNews.com - http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/eu-calls-for-transitional-justice-mechanism-in-nepal_746199.html