CCPR/C/132/D/2615/2015 Advance unedited version
the perpetrators of serious human rights violation may be initiated in court of law, upon the
submission of the report by the truth commission.
4.6
Thus, the author should file a complaint before the Commission in order to record the
violation of her rights and in order to be eligible for reparation, restitution and other possible
services and benefits. The Commission is empowered to promptly and effectively investigate
the effects, with the aim of identifying and trying those responsible for the violations
committed against the author. After completion of the process, the author will be eligible for
reparation, restitution and other services or benefits as provided for under the law.
Author’s comments on the State party’s observations on admissibility and the merits
5.1
In comments dated 6 October 2015, the author provided an update on the status of her
writ of mandamus. The deadline for the State party’s response to the writ, initially set for 17
February 2015, was repeatedly postponed, and to the author’s knowledge, no response has
been filed. A hearing before the Supreme Court was scheduled for 16 August 2015; however,
the hearing did not take place, and no new hearing date has been scheduled. The writ is thus
not likely to produce any meaningful result and is not an effective remedy. The Supreme
Court has never declared inapplicable the 35-day statute of limitations period in an individual
case. Even if she were to obtain a positive decision, it is unlikely that the decision would be
implemented.
5.2
The author reiterates that the District Officer refused to register the first information
report that she attempted to file in December 2014. Any legislative amendment that may be
enacted to extend the 35-day statute of limitations period for reporting rape would not apply
to the author, because she was subjected to rape in 2002. Furthermore, a six-month reporting
period would still be inadequate.
5.3
Transitional justice mechanisms, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,
are not yet fully operational. The State party has also sought from the Supreme Court review
of the Act pursuant to which the Commission was created. Because that decision is pending,
it is not clear which powers the Commission will have. The author is considering requesting
registration of her case once the Commission becomes operational and once its powers and
methods of work become clear. However, the Commission, which is not a judicial body, is
currently not an effective remedy. It is not mandated with the power to provide guarantees of
non-repetition, such as legislative reform or measures of satisfaction.
5.4
The State party’s position regarding recourse to the Commission is incorrect. In a
decision issued on 26 February 2015, the Supreme Court stated that cases that are pending
before judicial courts, including the Supreme Court, may not be transferred to the
Commission. Under this principle, the author is barred from seeking relief from the
Commission, since her writ of mandamus is pending before the Supreme Court.
5.5
On 3 May 2021, the author informed the Committee that on 29 May 2019, the Supreme
Court had dismissed her writ of mandamus, on the ground that the refusal of the police to
register her first information report was justified because of the 35-day filing statute.
Issues and proceedings before the Committee
Consideration of admissibility
6.1
Before considering any claim contained in a communication, the Committee must
decide, in accordance with rule 97 of its rules of procedure, whether the communication is
admissible under the Optional Protocol.
6.2
The Committee has ascertained, as required under article 5 (2) (a) of the Optional
Protocol, that the same matter is not being examined under any other procedure of
international investigation or settlement.
6.3
The Committee notes the State party’s claim that the author has not exhausted
domestic remedies, as required by article 5 (2) (b) of the Optional Protocol, because her writ
of mandamus is still pending before the Supreme Court of Nepal, and because she has not
filed a complaint before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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