Activist slams parliament over delay in establishing transitional justice

The transitional national legislative assembly (TNLA) has been criticized for delaying to enact key transitional justice mechanisms under chapter 5 of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

 “The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) is seriously concerned and disturbed by the intended delay in implementing transitional justice provisions on establishment of the Commission for Truth, Healing and Reconciliation; and on Compensation and Reparation Authority,” Edmund Yakani, the executive Director for CEPO said on Saturday in a statement.

He said the oversight role of the parliament is required in expediting formation of these two mechanisms.

 Yakani accused parties to the peace agreement of lacking the necessary political will to implement transitional justice mechanisms.

  “The political leadership both the executive and legislature have no any appetite for timely implementation of chapter 5 due to fear for justice and accountability, while forgetting that issues of healing, reconciliation, compensation and reparation are essential,” he said.

In August, the technical committee for the establishment of transitional justice mechanism questioned the presentation of the bill to the cabinet before wider public consultation was concluded.

The law makers called for the passing of the bill to be delayed to allow ongoing public consultation in refugee camps to conclude.

“CEPO transitional justice resource center is strongly urging the national law makers to take a step of summoning the executive leadership to answer why there is delay in speeding up the process for tabling the two legislations on establishment of the transitional justice institutions,” Yakani said.