UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security

SCR 1325 is a watershed political framework that emphasises the role of women and the need to integrate a gender perspective in all aspects of conflict prevention, resolution, peacebuilding and post-conflict resolution.

Truth Commissions and Gender: Principles, Policies and Procedures

This  handbook by the International Center for Transitional Justice is the first in a series of thematic, operational handbooks in gender and transitional justice. It recognises that gender is often neglected in the truth commission process. It describes the entire process of setting up and administering a truth commission. It also draws on lessons learnt from truth commission and their stakeholders from around the world on how truth commissions defined and addressed gender along with how gendered human rights abuse can be worked on effectively.

Gender and Truth Commission Mandates

Vasuki Neisah

This paper examines the significance of how truth commission mandates are drafted and interpreted on women and draws examples and experiences from truth commissions from around the world. This is because truth commissions are an opportunity for women to have a platform where they can narrate their experiences of human rights abuse, address the nations and move from the private, domestic sphere to the public sphere. 

Truth, Justice and Reparations: Establising An Effective Truth Commission

This paper is based on Amnesty International's assessment of the work of truth commissions in many countries around the world over the past few decades. It discusses the role of truth commissions in protecting, promoting and promoting human rights and also makes recommendations on the establishment, functions and powers of a truth commission, based on international human rights laws and standards.

History of Peace Negotiation Talk

This is the timeline of the development of peace negotiations in Nepal from 2000 A.D up to 2006 A.D.

Comprehensive Peace Accord, 2006

A copy of the Comprehensive Peace Accord, 2006.

A Bill made for making the provision relating to Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The "Truth and Reconciliation Act, 2064 (2007)" was passed by the parliament to form a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission's main objective is to help bring out the truth behind gross violation of human rights and rights against humanity during the CPN (Maoist) led insurgency and prosecute those responsible for these acts.

Human Rights in Nepal: One Year After the Comprehensive Peace Agreeement

This report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal chronicles the situation of human rights in the country in comparison to the commitments made in the Comprehensive Peace Accord, 2007. It also looks at the Interim Constitution of 2008 and governmental bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission and their impact in human rights implementation.

Press Release: OHCHR- Nepal raises concerns about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill

3 August 2007

It informs the submission of a document of comments by the OHCHR on the first draft of the Truth and Conciliation Commission Bill. Among other issues, OHCHR has raised concerns over the lack of provisions to ensure diversity based on gender, ethnicity, caste, geographic region and religion.

Comments and Recommendations on the draft Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill

A copy of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal's (OHCHR) comments and recommendations on the draft Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill dated 6 August 2007.

USIPeace Briefing- Transitional Justice in Nepal: A Look at the International Experience of Truth Commissions

United States Institute of Peace
September 2007

It provides an update on the ongoing process of transitional justice in Nepal and an overview of the sessions, responses to the documentary and expressed needs and expectations of victims of conflict. It also summarizes the initial commentary on the then draft of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission law.

Nepal at crossroads- urgent need for delivery on transitional mechanisms for truth, justice, inclusion and security Statement by Amnesty International

20 November 2007

This public statement issued on the occasion of the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) informs of the launch of 60 days of action by the Amnesty International to hold both the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) accountable for the commitments made in the CPA.

Nepal: Reconciliation does not mean impunity

This Memorandum dated August 2007 on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill by Amnesty International recognises the decision to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Nepal as important step towards ensuring accountability for war time crimes and guaranteeing justice and rights to the victims. In addition, it seeks to provide a constructive critique on the TRC bill based on its experience working in truth commissions in more than 14 countries.

Waiting for Justice: Unpunished Crimes from Nepal's Armed Conflict

This report examines how the Nepali justice system responds to allegations of human rights abuses based on 62 cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, "disappearances", torture or rape committed by the security forces between 2002 and 2006.

Nepali Voices: Perceptions of Truth, Justice, Reconciliation, Reparations and the Transition in Nepal

This document is the result of a study by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and the Advocacy Forum (AF) on victims' perceptions on issues such as truth, justice, reparations, reconciliation and the general transition in Nepal.

Conflict- Related Disappearances in Bardiya District

This report sets out the findings of the (United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) OHCHR's investigations into enforced disappearances and related serious human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) violations in Bardiya District, the hights conflict- related cases n one single district in the country during the conflict between the State and the Communist Party of Nepal- Maoist (CPN-M).

Gender and Justice in the Peace Building Process in Nepal

The article stresses on the needs transitional justice to address the incidences of human rights violation that took place during the decade long Maoist insurgency. It then goes on to refer to the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA), 2006 which promised four transitional justice mechanisms. It has critically appraised the draft Truth and Reconciliation Bill especially form a gender perspective and the opportunities it holds for the rights of women the principal victims- directly and indirectly of the conflict. It also gives suggestions on how the gender parity can be included in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Gender and Reparations in South Africa

Beth Goldblatt

This is an executive summary of a case study on South Africa from the Ruth Rubio-Marin, ed., "Engendering Reparations: Recognizing and Compensating Women Victims of Human Rights Violations". It describes the nature of women's experience of the armed conflict against the Apartheid and their involvement in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as transitional negotiations. It also trances the efforts made at engendering reparations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Gender and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: A Submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Beth Goldblatt and Shiela Meintjes
May 1996

This submission done in the context of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa emphasises the need for a gendered perspective on the experiences of human rights abuses to ensure that women's experience of abuse and torture are not neglected. It also intends to show gender as a key aspect in power relations which pertained in detention and in prisons of South Africa.

Facts about Nepal

This document gives basic facts and stats about Nepal.

Nepali Historical Guidelines

This article gives a basic history of Nepal and highlights the birth of the modern republic.

UNFPA Press Release

New York, Kathmandu, 12 November 2008—Development strategies that are sensitive to cultural values can reduce harmful practices against women and promote human rights, including gender equality and women’s empowerment, affirms The State of World Population 2008 report from UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General Interview

An interview with Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General at a Press Conference in Kathmandu, 1 November 2008 (UNMIN transcript)

Secretary-General spells out key ingredients of effective peacekeeping missions

This is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at the Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations in New York, 20 November 2008. 

OHA Nepal Situation Overview

Issue No. 36, covering the period 1-14 November 2008