Nepal Maoists still recruiting children: Report

The rebels have recently recruited around 5,000 children, mostly from schools for their army despite international condemnation.

Maoists in Nepal are still recruiting children for their People's Liberation Army despite international condemnation, a new report has claimed.

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The rebels have recently recruited around 5,000 children, mostly from schools, in their army even as the government and the Maoists have agreed to confine the PLA in temporary barracks under the United Nations' supervision, according to a report published by the Informal Service Sector Centre (INSEC).

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Nepal has asked both the government and Maoists to make the child rights and the welfare of children as one of their main priorities in implementation of the peace process.

Expressing deep concern over the ongoing conscription of child soldiers below 18 years of age in the People's Liberation Army the statement says, such acts of the Maoists violate international values and their own commitments.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy has denounced the continued recruitment by the Maoists of people, including children, into its armed ranks saying it violates all human rights norms and directly contravenes the spirit and letter of agreement the insurgents signed with the government.