Nepal Forum for Restorative Justice runs programs related to restorative justice, the idea which is our reason for existence, our raison d’être! Currently, we have current programs on transforming Nepal’s post-conflict wounds through the use of restorative justice and dialogue. The idea behind this work is also to find solutions at the community, local governmental and provincial levels that directly address the needs of the conflict victims and can bring other stakeholders in a dialogue leading to reparation and reconciliation.
Through this project, it has been trying to revisit the notion and practice of ‘reconciliation’ which has been conflated with ‘mediation’ through primarily by using the same Nepali word ‘melmilap’.
Likewise, the idea of reparation has been understood primarily to mean financial and physical aspects such as relief or monetary compensation. This usage then undermines the essence of reparation which according to the UN is much broader.
According to the OHCHR, reparation measures include:
- Restitution, which should restore the victim to their original situation before the violation occurred, e.g. restoration of liberty, reinstatement of employment, return of property, return to one’s place of residence.
- Compensation, which should be provided for any economically assessable damage, loss of earnings, loss of property, loss of economic opportunities, moral damages.
- Rehabilitation, which should include medical and psychological care, legal and social services.
- Satisfaction, which should include the cessation of continuing violations, truth-seeking, search for the disappeared person or their remains, recovery, reburial of remains, public apologies, judicial and administrative sanctions, memorials, and commemorations. (https://www.ohchr.org/en/transitional-justice/reparations)
Through this work, NFRJ wants to bring to center the fourth aspect “satisfaction’ without, of course, not forgetting the other three.
