Take Action

The armed conflict in Nepal between the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (Maoist) rebels and the government security forces has directly impacted the lives of thousands of children. Amnesty International is concerned that children are caught in the crossfire of the conflicting groups, and this is impacting their access to education. Children are also being abducted and recruited for armed activities by the CPN, and those suspected of involvement with the CPN rebels have been detained by the Nepal security forces, sometimes without due process or access to legal assistance.

Nepal has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and has signed the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflicts, but have not yet ratified it (made it consistent with national legislation). Article 4 of the Optional Protocol states that, “Armed groups that are distinct from the armed forces of a State should not, under any circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities persons under the age of 18 years” and that states should adopt “legal measures necessary to prohibit and criminalize such practices.”

The government of Nepal has a responsibility to protect the rights of children, and ensure their safety and access to education.

Amnesty International is calling on King Gyanendra (Nepal government) to:

• Uphold Nepal ’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and implement without delay all recommendations made to it by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child;
  
  
• Ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflicts at the earliest possible opportunity;
  
  
• Take all possible measures to ensure that the conflict does not negatively impact on children’s human rights, including their economic, social and cultural rights, and their right to education and health services;
  
  
• Ensure that security forces are aware that children and other civilians are never to be targeted;
  
  
• End impunity for violations of the human rights of children and violations of international humanitarian law by the security forces, including extra-judicial killings, torture, and any other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, sexual violence and illegal detention.

Please send letters to:

His Majesty the King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev
Salutation: Your Majesty
c/o Dr.Rambhakta P.B.Thakur
Chief of Protocol Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Shital Niwas
Kathmandu , Nepal

Please send a copy of all letters to the Nepal Consulate in Canada:

CONSULATE GENERAL OF NEPAL
1200 Bay St, Ste 1203
Toronto, ON
M5R 2A5
(416) 975-9292 Ext 238 (Visas)
Fax (416) 975-9275
E-mail: sharma@sharmakanish-asso.com

Report

Nepal: Children Caught in the Conflict

Amnesty International web site

Nepal: Children Caught in the Conflict