KATHMANDU- Chairperson of Constituent Assembly Subash Chandra Nembang said that Nepal would conclude remaining works of peace process by learning lessons from Colombia’s experience of dealing with peace process. Nembang, who is leading the Nepali delegation attending a Transitional Justice Study Tour in Colombia, said so while addressing a programme organized by the Swiss government in honour of the Nepali delegation at Bogota, the capital of Colombia on Friday.
Lauding the key role played by Juan Maunel Santos Calderon as the President of Colombia from 2010-2018 to end the protracted war in Colombia, Nembang hailed, “We generously commend your best efforts to end protracted war.” President Santos was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for successfully concluding peace process in Colombia. At present, efforts are ongoing to end more than 50 years of armed conflict between the government of Colombia and various armed groups including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN).
Stating that Nepal had also undergone an extremely violent insurgency for 10 years (1996-2006) which ended with the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006, he asserted that Nepal gradually settled down to sustained peace thereafter. Among the number of outcome of this process, as put by Nembang in his speech, the Federal Democratic Republican setup was established, new constitution was promulgated with secularism, inclusive democratic provisions and progressive contents and successful settlement of former combatants.
On the occasion, he delightedly shared he had the opportunity to chair both Constituent Assemblies which drafted the constitution. Furthermore, Nembang shared that the Bill relating to Transitional Justice was in parliament for consideration at present since, he added, that transitional justice was still in progress in Nepal. On the occasion, Nembang expressed his gratitude towards the Swiss government as well as the government of Colombia for their role in Nepal’s peace process and as well as organizing the educational trip.
Praising the role played by President Santos in efficiently dealing with the transitional justice related affairs in Colombia, Nembang said the Nepali delegation felt ‘enriched’ by learning the Colombian experience in peace process that was relevant for Nepal as well. The Nepali delegation, who left for Colombia on last Monday, interacted with former Colombia Minister Juan Cristo, general (Red) Alberto Mejia (mehuwa), FARC leader Rodrigo Londono, Justice Roberto Vidal and few victims and many transitional justice experts who, according to Nemabng, further enlightened the visiting Nepali team regarding the Colombian Peace Process.
The Nepali delegation comprises political leaders Pradeep Gyawali, Ramesh Lekhak, Radheshyam Adhikari, Khimlal Devkota, Nepali Army’s Lieutenant General Chitra Bahadur Gurung and Pawan Pandey. The Nepali delegation is returning home today.