While the taskforce members from the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML argued that the cases already settled by the courts cannot be brought under the TRC, the Maoist members countered that all the legal cases related to the conflict era should be dealt with by the TRC. [break]
“All the cases related to the conflict era should be brought under the TRC. If those involved are really found to have committed grave crimes, TRC cannot obviously grant amnesty,” said lawmaker from the UCPN (Maoist) Narayan Sharma, who is a member of the parliamentary taskforce.
There are a few cases including that of lawmaker Bal Krishna Dhungel who has already been convicted by court for the crimes he committed during the conflict era.
There is, however, unanimity that the TRC should treat the instances of rape as pure crimes and not grant amnesty to those guilty of such crimes.
The taskforce members also agreed to give enough compensation to the victims so that they could feel a “sense of justice”.
Maoists have stated that the talk on the content of the TRC bill is going ahead smoothly. “Originally the bill looked punitive, not reconciliatory. Now it has the spirit of reconciliation,” said Sharma.
The taskforce has, however, taken the cases of enforced disappearances, murders after taking the victim under control, and amputation, among others, as crimes.
“It is a very complicated issue. The TRC should work in such a way that there would be reconciliation and at the same time the victims get justice,” said Gyawali.
The taskforce will hold a meeting on Sunday as well to settle the differences, and refer the disputed issues to the top party leaders.
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