KATHMANDU: Top leaders — CPN- Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, and CPN UML Chairman KP Oli – agreed to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and finalize the pending aspects of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA).
The agreement was forged during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday evening.
The focus of the accord lies in amending the Investigation, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act, 2071 (TRC).
Prime Minister’s Press Advisor Gobinda Acharya stated, “The bill is currently in parliament, and the three top leaders have mutually decided to propel the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TAC) forward on the anniversary of the peace agreement.”
The bill is slated for passage during the upcoming winter session, as reiterated by them today, he said.
Seventeen years have elapsed since the CPA was inked between the government and the erstwhile rebel CPN-Maoist in November 2006.
“In alignment with the spirit of the peace agreement, they have committed to concluding the remaining aspects of the peace process,” Acharya added.
The consensus among the three leaders has raised optimism for the timely passage of the TRC Bill during the winter session of Parliament.
The bill, currently under the purview of the Parliament’s Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee, awaits submission and approval.
In addition to the TRC amendments, the leaders also reached an understanding to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
A source close to Baluwatar stated, “The agreement includes the formation of a commission in adherence to the principles of federalism, republicanism, and the peace agreement, proceeding in an integrated manner if required.”
It should be noted that during his visit to Nepal, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the Federal Parliament, expressing commitment to international cooperation for the completion of the peace process.
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