“There must be a balance between justice and reconciliation. So the issue needs more discussions,” said NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC, who participated in meeting held at UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal´s residence in Dallu to discuss the proposed bill. Leaders at the meeting extensively discussed the draft bill proposed by an all-party taskforce of parliament. [break]
Clarifying his party´s stance on the issue, KC pointed out the need for segregating crimes of serious nature from the process. “We cannot grant blanket amnesty for all sorts of crimes committed during the conflict,” he said.
According to KC, his party is against granting amnesty to criminals convicted of rape, murder, and genocide, among other things. NC proposed that the representatives of the victims of insurgency be inducted into the proposed commission.
During the meeting, the Maoists argued that TRC should be largely reconciliatory -- not punitive. “The bill should be made reconciliatory in its theme. We need to discuss the issue with all the members of the taskforce. We will try to finalize the bill in the next meeting,” said Maoist Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya who also attended the meeting. “Experts and representatives from among the disappeared should be inducted in the commission,” said Baidya.
Top leaders of the major three parties -- Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal -- are holding frequent meetings to reach a package deal on peace, constitution and power-sharing.
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