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06623
November 27, 2006
Nepal may get truth and reconciliation panel that churches seek
by Anto Akkara
Ecumenical News International
BANGALORE, India — Churches in Nepal have hailed the signing of a peace treaty between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist leader Prachanda ending years of turmoil for the Himalayan country.
”It was a great moment in the history of Nepal and probably in the whole world,” said the National Christian Council of Nepal (NCCN) in a statement on Nov. 22. “It ended the 11-year long conflict launched by the CPN (Maoists) and it opens a new door for peace, democracy, and development.”
The Nepal church council’s general secretary Kalai Bahadur Rokaya was among dignitaries who attended the signing. It was a special moment for him because he was in a 30-member ceasefire monitoring committee.
”We hope the peace process is now irreversible,” Rokaya, told Ecumenical News International from Kathmandu on Nov. 23.
Under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed after protracted negotiations, the rebels have agreed to the rule of law. Killings, abductions, conscription of youth and extortion will no longer enjoy government leniency as rebel “political activities,” but will be treated as crimes.
The treaty signatories have also mooted a truth and reconciliation commission, similar to one that South Africa in brining closure to apartheid, to deal with the responsibility for
crimes both by the state as well as the rebels, an long-standing demand of the church council.
”We were one of the first to demand the setting up of this commission three years ago and we are so glad they have agreed to it,” Rokaya told ENI.
More than 13,000 people including security forces, civilians and Maoist rebels have been killed in a violent campaign by the Maoists demanding an end to a centuries-old monarchy and turning Nepal into a republic.
Massive pro-democracy protests in which the Maoists played crucial role in April had forced King Gyanendra to abdicate absolute power, reinstate the parliament and appoint a popular government led by the opposition alliance which declared a truce with the Maoist rebels in May. |
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