Laws related to transitional justice will be amended, Govt serious towards Niharika case : Minister Koirala

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Govinda Prasad Sharma Koirala shared that a Bill relating to amend laws related to transitional justice will be presented in the ongoing session of the parliament. 

Responding to the queries of parliamentarians raised on the issues relating to his ministry under the Appropriation Bill-2079 BS in today's meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), Minister Koirala informed that the transitional justice related laws would be revised based on the recommendations furnished by the representatives from the provincial government to conclude the transitional justice and peace process.

According to him, over 50 Bills are under consideration in the House at the moment. The Minister pledged to take initiatives to convert them into acts at the earliest. 

Furthermore, to sensitize and aware citizens, awareness on the Constitution of Nepal will be raised in each individual in every household through Nagarik Apps. In order to revise laws related to fundamental rights or to formulate new ones, the Minister reaffirmed his commitment to facilitate without additional budget as well. 

Koirala also vowed to take forward the works of Truth and Reconciliation Commission as per the values of the Constitution and international practice. He viewed that the appointment of judges in the Judicial Council should be based on the certain guidelines and merit rather than on personal request. 

He called for launching social educational campaign for cultural transformation and for compliance of the laws to eliminate caste-based discrimination.

He clarified that ministers, parliamentarians and people's representatives as well as civil employees could not take double facilities and underscored everyone's role to implement the legislation made for the same. 

HoR session:justice demanded for Niharika

Justice has been demanded for Niharika Rajput who is said to be a rape survivor.  

Niharika has been on a hunger strike at local Basantapur Dabali for the past six days accusing one Shibaraj Shrestha of Bhimeshwor municipality-3, Dhanusha of drugging, raping and impregnating her while she was 17.  

Speaking in a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, former Minister and CPN (UML) lawmaker Thammaya Thapa drew the government’s attention towards the situation.  As Thapa said, the government failed to give its heed towards the woman’s condition and her demands.  

“Niharika has been on strike for six days, she is crying for justice from the State, but the government is yet to pay attention to the voices of her,” Thapa said. 

The woman accused the police administration of weakening her case from the beginning.  As she said, she was denied justice at the District Court, Dhanusha gave a clean chit to her ‘rapist’ citing 'insufficient' claims.

A DNA test of her 21-months-old child and the hearing of a lawsuit registered at the High Court, Janakpaur four months ago at the earliest are among those demands put forth by the woman.  She moved the High Court to challenge the district court’s verdict in the case.  

The lawmaker expressed her concerns over rising cases of violence including rape and murder against the women, and demanded stern action against perpetrators. 

 Likewise, Rajendra Prasad Lingden said the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was passed at the power of a majority, bringing the nation on the verge of trouble.  

He demanded the government not to entertain any foreign agreement that would harm the nation. 

He was of the view of the formation of an independent election government to hold the upcoming federal and local elections fairly and impartially. 

Govt serious towards Niharika case

Minister Koirala said that the government was serious towards Niharika Rajput's case. Neharika, who is originally from Mahottari district, is currently staging a hunger strike in Kathmandu with her minor child demanding justice. 

He further said that the government was ready to discuss the alternative ways to resolve Neharika's case since a case relating to her is subjudice in the court.