Dissenting Civil Society, Hunger Strikes, and the Transitional Justice Process in Nepal

This chapter examines the Transitional Justice movement in Nepal that seeks justice for victims of human rights violations and crimes committed during the internal armed conflict (1996–2006) of which only a small fraction has been properly investigated or prosecuted. To combat the culture of impunity, the conflict victims have actively worked together with human rights activists and civil society organisations. In exploring different phases and forms of their activism, the chapter demonstrates that they have creatively utilised a wide variety of methods, including peaceful protests, sit-ins, non-cooperation, hunger strikes, as well as civil disobedience to demand justice and challenge laws and policies they consider unjust or discriminatory. The chapter concludes that even though the conflict victims have not been able to compel the state to fulfil its responsibilities in making the perpetrators of the conflict era accountable, they have succeeded in articulating their dissatisfaction clearly in the public arena while building important networks and alliances and gaining support also from the international community. It is also remarkable that despite the legacy of violence, the conflict victims, human rights activists, and civil society actors have continually chosen to pursue justice through the nonviolent approach.