”National Organization of Women Victims of Rape in Violence” and ”Transitional Justice and Gender Justice Network” have expressed their displeasure that the Commission has been reorganized based on political parties.
Two organizations representing conflict-time rape and sexual violence victims have expressed serious dissatisfaction with the appointment process of the chairman and members of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The 'National Organization of Women Raped in Violence' and the 'Transitional Justice and Gender Justice Network' issued separate statements and expressed their displeasure saying that the government has ignored the voice of the victims by reorganizing the commission based on political partisanship. The victims have complained that no consultation was done with the victims during the reorganization of the
commission, and even after the formation of the commission, notices were issued without considering the concerns and sensitivities of the victims.
The officials of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who were appointed on May 4, issued a notice on May 5 to sexual violence victims to file complaints within three months. The 'National Organization of Rape Victims of Violence' objected to the notice saying that a victim-friendly process was not adopted.
"Without any kind of coordination with the victimized parties, the information published in such a way as to harm the safety and privacy rights of the victim delegated by law is not acceptable to the victimized party and we the victims believe that engaging in such an immature process would be a suicidal step," Devi Khadka, the coordinator of the National Organization of Rape Victims in the conflict, issued a statement saying, "A sensitive, confidential and safe process is necessary to ensure victim-friendly justice." But the current appointment process is completely insensitive and non-transparent. The organization also stated that the officials of the
commission do not have sufficient capacity and commitment to address the issues of rape and sexual violence.
'Despite this, we have no other option to get justice except from the state,' said Devi, 'Therefore, we are still hoping that the process of victim-centered transitional justice will be adopted by the state in a positive manner, and we are informing those who cannot participate in the process specified in the notification.'
Similarly, the 'Transitional Justice and Gender Justice Network' also issued a statement on Friday and expressed regret about the Commission's notice. Gita Rasaili, president of the network, said, "Since the notification issued without any consultation with the victims, without even the minimum sensitivity of the victims' safety, privacy, and self-esteem, which should be adopted while filing a complaint, the victims of rape and sexual violence will be re-victimized and their safety, privacy, mental health, and self-esteem will be seriously injured." We want to repeat.'
This information has seriously damaged the self-esteem of victims of rape and sexual violence, who have been waiting for justice for 18 years, and the network has also expressed regret for the commission's work, saying that the commission is incompetent and lacks sensitivity towards the victims.
