Welcoming the inclusion of children’s issues in the draft peace accord, the UNICEF has urged all parties to the peace process in Nepal to abide by international instruments related to child rights and give priority to the interest of children during all stages of the peace accord.

“Many issues regarding children’s protection have been included in the draft peace agreement. This is a positive indication that children’s concerns are being addressed,” a statement issued by the UNICEF on Monday quoted Dr. Suomi Sakai, UNICEF’s country representative, as saying.

“However, there are still many issues regarding the protection and welfare of children involved in armed conflict that still need to be included in the final agreement,” she said.

The peace accord prepared by the all-party Peace Committee would be signed between the SPA government and the Maoists on November 16.

The UNICEF noted that the 11-year long conflict has taken toll on children, exposing them to violence- directly or indirectly – and has deprived them of their protective environment. Many children been separated from their families and their education has been disrupted.

“We are extremely concerned that children below 18, who have been associated with armed forces and armed groups in Nepal, have not yet been returned or reintegrated with their families and communities,” Sakai said, adding. “The removal of children from armed forces and armed groups is imperative from a legal, human rights and humanitarian perspective.”

The UNICEF demanded that in the context of the CPN (Maoist) agreeing to disarm and be confined in cantonments and the Nepali Army preparing to remain inside the barracks, the peace agreement should specify special provisions for handing over children associated with armed forces and armed groups to child protection agencies.

“This should be initiated from the very early stages, when the children are brought into the cantonments and camps,” the statement said.

The UNICEF also urged all the political parties and the government to develop appropriate mechanisms and programmes for the children, including those involved in armed activities, to be returned and reintegrated in their families and communities and involve child rights groups including the UNICEF in this process.