The mandate of the inquiry commission formed to investigate the incidents of September 8 and 9 has been expanded.
Minister for Communications, Information and Technology Jagdish Kharel said that Thursday’s Cabinet meeting decided to broaden the commission’s scope of work.
According to Kharel, the decision was made in line with the agreement reached on December 10 between Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Gen Z representatives.
The agreement states that the commission “shall conduct an impartial investigation into allegations of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, resulting from excessive use of force during the people’s movement, establish the facts, and recommend criminal accountability.”
It also requires the commission to submit a report that objectively distinguishes between incidents that occurred during the movement and violent acts carried out in a planned and organized manner by other individuals or groups with criminal intent, taking into account the extraordinary circumstances.
The commission is also mandated to screen and investigate cases in which individuals have been subjected to investigation or prosecution solely for participating in the movement.
The mandate further instructs the commission to recommend to the government the release from custody/detention of individuals not found to be involved in criminal or organized groups or in serious crimes, and to also recommend withdrawal of cases filed against them.
The Cabinet meeting on Thursday also approved the 10-point agreement that includes these provisions.
