The Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP), one of the two transitional justice mechanisms, is preparing to summon Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to record his statement on the charge that the state of emergency imposed during his tenure as the prime minister at the time of the decade-long war was responsible for enforced disappearances. 

The CIEDP formed on February 9, 2015 is investigating into war-era cases of disappearance both by state actors and then Maoist rebels during the 1996-2006 insurgency. As many as 3,093 complaints have been filed at the CIEDP. The commission has shortlisted 2,300 “genuine cases” for investigation. Some of the complaints filed at the CIEDP are said to be not related to the war-era period, while others fall under the preview of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). As around 90 percent of cases of the enforced disappearances occurred during emergency imposed by then Deuba-led government, most of cases are directly or indirectly against him. 

Then government led by Deuba had imposed emergency on November 26, 2001.

“We are preparing to summon PM Deuba after the elections,” CIEDP Spokesperson Bishnu Pathak told the Post. 

According to him, more than 80 percent of the complaints the commission has received are by the relatives of those who were disappeared by security forces, meaning the state was more responsible for enforced disappearances than the rebels. 

Pathak said it is important to summon PM Deuba as he is answerable to the cases that occurred during his prime ministership. The CIEDP has carried out preliminary investigation into the complaints and is now preparing to start detailed investigation which includes gathering evidence and recording statements.