HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Commission will not stop violence: HR activists

Kathmandu, March 5 (RSS): Human rights activists here have expressed the view that the government's decision to form a Judicial Commission (JC) to investigate property registered in the names of those holding public posts since 2047 B.S. and those who have retired will bear fruit only if the Commission report is properly implemented.

Asked whether this step to control corruption would help stop violence in the country, Amnesty International, Nepal President Pradip Pokhrel said that although corruption was not the only reason behind the violence, efforts to control the social malady might significantly contribute to de-escalating violence.

Violence has already taken such a serious turn that any single decision of the government will not help much in checking it, he said. One cannot expect anything if the report of this commission also shared the fate of the Mallik Commision report. If the government honestly implemented the commission report the government's decision to form this commission will prove really positive, added.

President of Human Rights and Peace Society Krishna Pahadi said although there are several other reasons behind the rise of the Maoists, corruption, lack of good governance and various other anomalies and aberrations nurtured the Maoist movement. If the government punished the corrupt persons it would contribute to establishing a lasting peace, he said.

CWIN president Gauri Pradhan said if the government has taken this decision honestly, it is a positive measure.

If the government is really serious, it should first investigate into the property of those in the government, the head of the government and the officers in government services, Pradhan said.

Nepal Bar Association president Sindhu Nath Pyakurel, was however, pessimistic about the efficacy of this commission and said that this commission will not be able to attain the goal.

He was also critical about the integrity of the office bearers of the commission and the past record of the government.

Vice-president of Human Rights Organisation Nepal (HURON) Dr Rajesh Gautam said the in the context of growing despondency among the formation of such a commision would not contribute significantly to controlling the Maoist activity. Rather there might be a risk of such a commission giving clean chits to those who have amassed property through unfair means.

Bhavani Prasad Kharel of HURON said the proposed commission has a historic responsibility on its shoulders, and the investigation should start from the Council of Ministers.

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