The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has received over 15,000 new complaints related to human rights violations committed during the 10-year long Maoist insurgency, bringing the total number of registered complaints from 65,000 to 78,909.
A majority of the newly registered complaints are related to rape and other forms of sexual violence allegedly committed by both Maoist combatants and state security forces during Nepal’s decade-long armed conflict.
In recent years, survivors of sexual violence—many of whom had remained silent due to stigma, fear, and lack of institutional support—have begun to speak out more openly about their experiences. In an effort to address these long-overlooked grievances, the newly appointed office bearers of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), who assumed office in May 2025, reopened the complaint registration process for victims who had previously been unable to file their cases.
The recent appointments of Lila Devi Gadtaula and Mahesh Thapa as chairs of the Commission on the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), respectively, are being viewed as a critical step toward revitalizing Nepal’s long-stalled transitional justice process.
Both officials took their oath of office and secrecy in May, signaling renewed commitment. However, concerns remain regarding their limited experience in transitional justice, a highly specialized and sensitive domain requiring a deep understanding of conflict-era grievances, legal frameworks, and victim-centered approaches.
Nepal’s transitional justice system was established in response to the decade-long Maoist insurgency (1996–2006), which left over 17,000 people dead, thousands more displaced, and countless others affected by torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations. As part of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the government pledged to address these grave abuses, leading to the formation of two transitional justice bodies in 2015: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons.
Despite their formation and subsequent appointments in 2016, both commissions have made little progress. Over the past decade, they have investigated only a fraction of the more than 63,000 complaints filed—only a few hundred cases have undergone preliminary investigation. Political interference, lack of adequate funding, absence of skilled personnel and experts, and internal divisions within the commissions have all contributed to their ineffectiveness.
Of particular concern is the underreporting and lack of investigation into sexual violence and rape cases. Initially, only 314 complaints related to sexual violence were filed. However, under increased advocacy and awareness, it was revealed that there are at least 883 such complaints from Jajarkot district alone—a far-western region that was a major epicenter of the Maoist insurgency. This discrepancy highlights the broader issue of stigma, fear of retaliation, and lack of trust in state mechanisms that prevent survivors—particularly women—from coming forward.
Adding to the challenges, international attention and funding for Nepal’s transitional justice process have significantly dwindled in recent years. Donor fatigue, shifting geopolitical priorities, and the government’s failure to demonstrate progress have led many development partners to scale back their assistance. Securing adequate financial resources for victim reparations, investigations, and institutional strengthening remains a critical hurdle.
The newly appointed commission members have expressed commitment to completing investigations and delivering justice, but their success largely hinges on the government’s political will and financial support. As some TRC officials have noted, with sufficient resources and autonomy, they could feasibly complete the investigation of all registered cases.
