Top leaders of major political parties on June 5 started consultations on how to settle Maoist conflict-era cases, as pressure mounts on them for delaying justice for conflict victims, reports Republica. Chairmen duo of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal and main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba assembled at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar, Kathmandu and discussed possible modalities for wrapping up the much prolonged transnational justice process. The consultations were initiated a day after Australian Ambassador Pete Budd warned that Nepali leaders directly or indirectly involved in rights violations could face arrest while traveling to any foreign country including Australia if the transnational justice issues are not resolved in time.
Meanwhile, thirteen years after the end of Maoist insurgency, victims of sexual violence have not yet been identified, reports The Himalayan Times on June 5. Women and girls who suffered sexual violence at the hands of members of security agencies and Maoist combatants during the conflict are yet to get any relief, let alone justice. Former member of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Manchala Jha told that while the actual number of victims of sexual violence could be much higher, only 322 women and girls lodged complaints at the TRC, claiming to have been raped during the conflict. She said sexual violence was committed against women and girls in 62 Districts during the conflict but many victims were not willing to come forward due to fear of stigma.