KATHMANDU, May 26: Survivors of sexual violence during Nepal's armed conflict and their advocates have criticized the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for publicly calling on victims to file complaints. Newly appointed TRC officials made this call shortly after assuming office, urging victims -including survivors of sexual violence- to submit complaints if they had not done so previously.
Conflict victims, who opposed the appointment of the new officials, have raised objections to this move, accusing the commission of insensitivity and lack of consultation.
The government launched the transitional justice process in 2014 by forming two commissions. It has now appointed officials to these commissions for the third time. A five-member recommendation committee, led by former Chief Justice Om Prakash Mishra, selected the officials for the latest appointments.
Despite the new leadership, conflict-affected communities continue to express dissatisfaction with the appointment process and the TRC's approach to justice.
The Conflict Victim Women National Network (CVWN), led by Chairperson Geeta Rasaili, strongly objected to the TRC’s recent notice calling for complaints from survivors of sexual violence. The network stated that the TRC harmed victims' dignity and failed to show the sensitivity these cases demand.
"The notice deeply wounded the dignity of rape and sexual violence survivors who have waited 18 years for justice. It confirmed the commission's incompetence and its insensitivity towards victims," the statement said.
The network criticized the TRC for issuing the notice without consulting survivors. It accused the commission of ignoring basic standards of sensitivity, including protecting victims' safety, confidentiality, and dignity during the complaint process.
"The notice risks re-traumatizing survivors of rape and sexual violence and harming their safety, privacy, mental health, and dignity," the statement added. "We again affirm that we will not engage in any such insensitive process or participate in any commission-led mechanism that disregards survivors' voices and experiences."
The CVWN has reiterated its objection to the recommendation process that appointed the chairpersons and members of the TRC and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP), calling it lacking in credibility. The network rejected the appointments and warned that victims would not engage in any activities led by the commissions.
"We strongly object to the public notice that calls for complaints from survivors of rape or serious sexual violence during the armed conflict-especially because the commission issued it without following even the minimum standards of justice and despite continuous opposition from victims," the network said in its statement.
The TRC claimed it issued the public call in line with legal provisions that allow victims—who were unable to file complaints earlier due to circumstances beyond their control—to submit them within three months from the appointment of the commission's chair and members.
According to the notice, the TRC has asked victims to submit their complaints with clear reasons for the earlier delay to its office in Hattigauda, Kathmandu, by Bhadra 3 (August 19, 2025).
The TRC has urged victims of rape or serious sexual violence during the armed conflict-or their representatives-who missed earlier deadlines, to file their complaints by Bhadra 5 (August 21, 2025). Victims can submit complaints directly at the commission's office, via email, or through the relevant District Government Attorney's Office, following the same procedure as for other cases. The notice instructs complainants to indicate whether they wish to keep their name, surname, or address confidential.
So far, the TRC has registered 314 complaints related to sexual violence.
Meanwhile, the TRC has requested the Office of the Attorney General to ensure the confidentiality of victims. In response, the Office of the Attorney General sent letters on Friday to all District Government Attorney Offices, directing them to protect complainants' privacy while collecting and forwarding complaints to the TRC.