Two organizations representing conflict-time rape and sexual violence victims have expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment process of the chairman and members of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
"National Organization of Women Raped in Violence" and "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 parties.
The organization mentioned 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.
On May 5, the officials of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who were appointed on May 4, issued a notice to sexual violence victims to file a complaint within three months. The 'National Organization of Women Victims of Rape in Violence' protested that a victim-friendly process was not adopted in the notification. "We, the victims, do not accept the information published in such a way as to harm the safety and privacy of the victims," said the statement issued by the organization's coordinator, Devi Khadka.
Similarly, the 'Transitional Justice and Gender Justice Network' also released a statement on Friday and expressed regret about the Commission's notice. Gita Rasaili, president of the network, mentioned that "the notification issued without any consultation with the victims, without even adopting the minimum sensitivity of the victims' safety, privacy, self-esteem, etc., which should be adopted when filing a complaint, will make the victims of rape and sexual violence suffer again and seriously injure their safety, privacy, mental health and self-esteem."
