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With the formation of a new government under Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the international community has started showing concerns about conflict-era rights abuses. On Jan 12, Human Rights Watch, a rights body, came up with a statement urging the Dahal-led government to amend the transitional justice bill.   

A new transitional justice bill, to address abuses committed during Nepal’s 1996-2006 civil war, was presented to the parliament in Aug 2022, HRW says, adding: The bill, despite significant flaws, had raised hope among the victims and their families, who have waited over 16 years for justice. The flaws include wording that makes it possible to grant amnesty for certain gross violations of human rights, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, the statement said.

In addition, verdicts from a new special court would not be subject to judicial appeal, in violation of international fair trial guarantees. The bill was neither amended nor brought to a vote before parliament was dissolved ahead of November elections, according to the statement.

Speaking with media persons on Jan 12, American Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson said that the international community is keenly interested to see progress in transitional justice. “This is definitely something that I talk about with my colleagues in the international community. I hope we can see progress,” he had said: “Ruling parties in their Common Minimum Program have pledged to conclude the transitional justice process.” 

Transitional justice mechanism—Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons—are without heads and other officer-bearers. The international community, however, has not cooperated with the commissions. The bottom-line of the international community is that there should be appointment in both commissions only after the amendment of laws in line with the Supreme Court verdict 2015, said former Chair of Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party General Secretary Bhuwan Pathak has been elected as the Speaker of Bagmati Province. Pathak, a candidate from the ruling coalition, secured 62 votes while 39 cast votes against him. Seven lawmakers remained neutral. Another candidate for the post of Speaker, Shivaraj Adhikari of the Nepali Congress garnered 36 votes. At least 65 lawmakers voted against him. There are 110 members in the Province Assembly. Jagannath Thapaliya, Parliamentary Party leader of the CPN-UML, proposed Pathak’s candidacy while Yuvaraj Dulal of CPN (Maoist Centre) seconded the proposal. Pathak is a lawmaker under Proportional Representation system.      

Province 1 Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki is scheduled to take a vote of confidence from the Province Assembly meeting today. The Province Assembly meeting is summoned for 1:00 pm this afternoon. Province Assembly Secretary Gopal Prasad Parajuli said that the vote of confidence motion will be presented at the meeting and later would be tabled for decision. In the 93-member Province Assembly, UML’s Karki was appointed the Chief Minister with the backing of UML, CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Janata Samajwadi Party. After taking the vote of confidence, the Chief Minister is likely to appoint two ministers from the Maoist Centre. Earlier, ministers without portfolio have been appointed from UML, RPP and JSP in Province 1.

Gandaki Province Chief Minister Khagaraj Adhikari is taking a vote of confidence from the Province Assembly meeting on Friday. UML Gandaki Province Parliamentary Party leader Adhikari was appointed the Chief Minister on January 9. Province Assembly Secretariat said that the Chief Minister is scheduled to take a vote of confidence from the Province Assembly meeting at 1 pm today. With support of 33 Province Assembly members, Province Chief Prithvi Man Gurung had appointed Adhikari as the Chief Minister as per the Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal. After getting the vote of confidence, the Chief Minister is expected to expand the Cabinet.