Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has agreed to discharge around 3,000 Maoist combatants disqualified by the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for being underage as prescribed by comprehensive peace agreement.

Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, speaks at a press conference at the end of her visit to Nepal in Kathmandu on Friday, Dec 05 08. nepalnews.com/rh

Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General…
At a press conference in Kathmandu, Friday, Radhika Coomaraswany, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict said that Prime Minister Prachanda has agreed to discharge all CPN-M child combatants in cantonments to resume civilian life by the end of February.

She said “We are very hopeful that the process will begin from December. We hope that it will be finished by the end of February. We have some hope in that regard but of course a lot depends upon how it is actually implemented. But that is our hope.”

She had met with PM Dahal earlier on Friday.

“The UN country team stands ready to support former CPN-M child combatants to resume civilian life as they look to their future in a new peaceful Nepal,” said the Special Representative, referring to the reintegration packages developed by UNICEF and UNDP which would be tailored to the children’s needs, skills and long-term aspirations, in collaboration with civil society and in compliance with international standards and guidelines including the Paris Principles.

Expressing concern regarding the impact on children due to continuing unrest in terai districts, she said that during her visit to Terai, she met children who had been forced to flee the ongoing violence and had become displaced as a result. Other children had run away from their homes, fearing recruitment by armed groups. They were also afraid of threats against their families if they refused to join, she said.

She urged to end all forms of violence to give a chance for children in Nepal to live in peace and security. nepalnews.com ia Dec 05 08