| |
Activities » Activities Update » Activity Details
 |
|
| Activity Details |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2008-02-22 |
UNICEF and OHCHR-Nepal urge for children to be kept free from harm |
| |
Kathmandu, 22 February – In a joint statement issued today, the United Nations' Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR-Nepal) expressed increasing concern at the threat of harm to children as a result of violent protests around the country, particularly in the Terai.
Citing incidents in Nepalgunj, Sunsari District and Darchula District in which children, some in school uniform, were seen participating in the violent enforcement of bandhs and manning roadblocks, UNICEF and OHCHR urged all parties to take the necessary measures to avoid exposing boys and girls under the age of 18 to risk of harm. Nepali law defines children as people below the age of 16 years while International law classifies them as being under 18. Nepal ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 and the optional protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict in 2007, which means that national laws must meet these international standards.
UNICEF and OHCHR-Nepal called for the protection of children's rights in connection with political activities, in particular:
- Not involving children and young people in violence, including violent protests and demonstrations
- Not using schools and other educational facilities for political activities, nor school buses to transport people to demonstrations
- Not coercing children to participate in demonstrations, nor offering them goods, money and other inducements to participate. Participation must be voluntary, and only children who understand the implications of their participation should get involved
- Respecting Section 23 of the Electoral Code of Conduct, which states that children under 16 years old should not be brought to participate in any kind of procession, mass meeting or rally, or in any election-related publicity activity
- Respecting children's right to education, and not interrupting their education.
UNMIN child protection advisers aim to make sure that Nepal's peace process works for children, and that children at risk do not suffer reverses as a result of a peace that is unjust or insufficiently inclusive. This mandate is carried out by monitoring, investigation and reporting, making mission staff aware of children's needs in peace processes, and using ceasefire monitoring mechanisms (such as the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee) to address accountability for violations of children's rights. |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
