nepal: children caught in the conflict

for more than nine years a conflict has raged in nepal between government security forces and fighters of the communist party of nepal (maoist). the conflict has had a devastating effect on all sections of nepali society—but especially on the lives of children. the most fundamental rights of children are being violated routinely, and nowhere is this more apparent than in schools across the country.

• tens of thousands of children have been abducted from schools by maoist fighters to attend “political education” sessions. there is increasing evidence that some of the abducted children are recruited for armed activities.
• many children who might otherwise attend school are kept at home to avoid abduction. in some areas children are getting less than 100 days of schooling a year.
• hundreds of schools have been shut down or destroyed, or used as barracks. some schools, particularly private schools, have been attacked deliberately by the maoists.
• teachers are being tortured and killed, either for not complying with the demands of one side or on suspicion of supporting the other. many are forced to make “donations” from their salaries to support Maoist activities.

both sides of the conflict have committed grave human rights abuses against children. while other amnesty international appeals call on the nepalese government to uphold the rights of children, this appeal is specifically directed at the maoists.

amnesty international is calling on the leadership of the communist party of nepal (maoist) to:

• respect and promote children’s rights and minimise the impact of their military activities on children
• end the abduction of children for “political education” sessions
• end all child recruitment and the use of children for military activities, and release all children within the maoist forces

Fighting between the CPN (Maoist) and Royal Nepalese Army, drawn by a child at The Sahara Children's rehabilitation home for child victims of conflict. © AI

they are asking students and teachers from around the world to send in letters, poems and art work in support of school children and teachers in nepal.
send materials to:

Amnesty International (IS)
Asia-Pacific Programme – Nepal team
1 Easton Street
London WC1X 0DW
United Kingdom

(to arrive before 20 October 2005)

you can also send a message of support through their online form.

amnesty international will exhibit the materials in nepal on 20 november 2005 – the day established by the united nations as universal children’s day.