Kathmandu, August 14 (HS). The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Amendment Act-2024 was unanimously passed by the lower house of Nepal's Parliament, the House of Representatives, on Wednesday. The bill provides for prosecution of the families of people killed by Maoist fighters and security forces during the 10-year Maoist armed rebellion, depending on the nature of the incident.
The amendment bill was introduced in the House by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Kumar Chaurasia. After the bill was passed, Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli said that the government aims to convert this bill into law in the next 10 days. After passing from the House of Representatives, this bill will now be introduced in the upper house of Parliament, the National Assembly. After passing from the National Assembly, it will return to the House of Representatives and after being certified by the Speaker, this bill will go to the President. After the President's approval, it will become a law.
Before the bill was passed by the Law, Justice and Human Rights Law Committee of the House of Representatives, a consensus was reached on the controversial issues between the top leaders of the three major political parties – Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and CPN (MC). Law Minister Chaurasia said that there is a provision for punishment to the culprits in incidents where there has been a gross violation of human rights. Apart from this, there is also a provision to prosecute the inhuman incidents committed by the army with the Maoist fighters during that period. However, there is also a provision not to prosecute the culprits if the victim side agrees.