UN expresses concern at violation of child rights in Nepal
The United Nations has expressed concern at the fragile security and political scenario in Nepal that has adversely affected children in the Himalayan nation.
The United Nations has expressed concern at the fragile security and political scenario in Nepal that has adversely affected children in the Himalayan nation.
In a report to the Security Council on Friday, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon detailed the number of child rights violation during the past year and recommended measures to stop them.
"The volatile political and security situation in the country has caused concerns with regard to children’s safety," he stated while mentioning cases of abduction of children for ransom and those injured by mines.
Last year there were 27 cases of children being injured and killed by improvised explosive devices and mines planted by the Maoists during the decade long civil war that ended in 2006.
The report also mentioned 64 cases of killing and maiming of children including 35 cases of victim-activated explosions. Twenty eight of these cases resulted in serious injuries and eight in death.
Two cases of attempt to rape by policemen were also reported. In one case three policemen attempted to rape a 14-year-old in Sunsari district while a 13-year-old was assaulted by a police officer in Surkhet.
Increasing tendency of political parties to impose strikes and shutdowns affected education as well. The report mentioned of 120 schools getting closed during 2009 and 80 school days lost due to political protests.
A total of 14 cases of abduction have been mentioned in the report. Four children were abducted in May by members of Youth Communist League, the youth wing of opposition UCPN (Maoist) while 10 cases for ransom and unknown reasons were recorded in eastern Terai districts.
Blaming political parties for using children in political rallies and demonstrations, the report suggested the Nepal government to enforce the National Plan of Action for the Reintegration of Children Affected by Armed Conflict and expedite enactment of the Child Rights Protection and Promotion Bill.
