Nepal

The human toll of the ‘People’s War’ (1996-2006) in Nepal was profound; over 17,000 people were killed, 1,500 disappeared and an estimated 20,000 tortured. Almost eight years passed before any transitional justice mechanism was formalised when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances were legally mandated by Parliament. There were 60,000+ cases lodged, but both the commissions failed to address the needs of the victims’ families. The two exhibits from Nepal showcase the continuing grief and struggle for the truth of those left behind. They challenge the official narrative that peace has been ‘achieved’ as to those who accompany the families of the disappeared, believing that delayed justice equates to no justice at all.

Despite the 2006 peace agreement and constant pledges by both sides to provide information regarding the fates of their loved ones, the families of the disappeared continue to wait. While victims’ families want to see perpetrators brought to justice, what they also need is recognition of their loss, and meaningful reforms that advance social justice. A victim-centric process requires political will. In Nepal, while transitional justice processes have enjoyed nominal support, the Nepali government never prioritised transitional justice in its national agenda, and the Commissions have been prevented from fulfilling their mandate. A more inclusive transitional justice process will move the debate beyond rigid notions of accountability to include the full range of injustices and localised concerns of conflict-victims. Both, the Network of the Families of the Disappeared and Voices of Women Media work on transitional justice issues and believe in advocating for a victim-centred approach. Their work contests historical memories of the conflict through story-telling.