EU condemns Maoist child rights violations

August 12, 2005
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The EU has condemned the human rights violations imposed on children by the Maoists.

In a statement issued today, the EU said it strongly condemns the CPN(M)’s systematic and continued human rights violations especially in respect to the use of child soldiers which runs contrary to their claims that they respect human rights and adhere to the standards of the Geneva Conventions.

The EU said the violation of children rights are evident in the Maoist abuse of schools, indoctrination and abduction of young people and the induction into military forces, and termed such actions as ‘particularly abhorrent’.

The EU Troika called on the Foreign Ministry today to raise concerns about how the ongoing armed conflict is affecting children in Nepal, the statement said. It has asked the government for clarification on policies and resources with respect to children and armed conflict, especially with regard to complying with international Conventions on the Rights of the Child, making sure children affected by conflict are properly rehabilitated and ensuring their safety at schools, the statement added.

It is estimated that over 400 children have been killed and over 20,000 displaced since the start of the war.