The UNICEF has expressed its deep concern at reports of children being beaten and arrested by the security forces in recent demonstrations organised by the seven opposition political parties in Kathmandu and other cities. The UNICEF also expressed concern over the participation of children in the demonstrations.

“Children have no place being near demonstrations that could turn violent,” UNICEF’s Nepal representative, Dr Suomi Sakai, was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the UNICEF Thursday. She added, “It is of great concern that children, some under the age of 10, have been seen taking part in demonstrations and have been injured and arrested.”

Saying that children are entitled to freedom of expression under the Convention on the Rights of Child and that their parents and guardians also have the right and responsibility to ensure that rights, the UNICEF statement said, “Organizers of any demonstration or public gathering have a responsibility to ensure that children are out of harm’s way, particularly children without family, such as street children who have no-one to look after them and are even more vulnerable.”

“UNICEF also has received some very disturbing reports from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) that children in demonstrations have been arrested, beaten following arrest and have been detained, sometimes with adults,” the statement further said.

The statement further said the UNICEF has received information of five children aged between 12 and 16 years who were arrested in locations in the Kathmandu Valley on April 10, and two 14-year old boys arrested in districts outside the Kathmandu Valley in recent days.

“UNICEF reiterates the call of the UN System last year for His Majesty’s Government of Nepal to ensure that the security forces and offices with responsibility for custody verify that any child in custody is being held in accordance with the above undertakings in Article 37.” nepalnews.com mk Apr 13 06