Having asked questions about justice and the role of compensation in seeking justice, we received many answers along the lines of “peace is more important than justice” – that they do not want to provoke the peace they have now in order to seek justice. It reminded me of stirring up dirty residue in stagnant water. Of course, the majority, if not all, of our group recoiled in discomfort. Coming from a liberal education where liberty to speak our pains and seek complete justice are revered, we could not stand to hear these ideas of meek compromise.

But it occurred to me that I was dismissing forgiveness altogether. What is the role of forgiveness in post-war Nepal? I am a firm believer that there is a capacity in everyone to digest situations and conjure forgiveness towards others. Were we discrediting the Nepalese people’s ability to forgive? I do not know. Hearing the horrors caused by both the Maoists and the Government I would imagine it is very difficult. Also, not having experienced such crimes such as killings, rape, abductions, I do not have the authority to say whether these incidents can be forgiven or not. But it is uncanny that the NGOs and the groups we meet throughout this trip have been created because of people’s inability to digest such horrors of war. These groups are working to provide due justice for people who are seeking reparations. It is unfortunate, however, that we are not talking to people who have chosen to forgive – not forget – the crimes done in war. Perhaps none exists. But I still am a firm believer in people’s capacity to forgive and will hold on my rosy hopes that there are people out there who have forgiven the crimes of war done to them and who are choosing to move forward.