Thousands of children abducted by Maoists during ceasefire: Amnesty
A London-based international human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has said the Maoists have reportedly abducted a total of 8,057 people from at least nine districts in rural areas during the first four weeks of the ceasefire. Many of these were children and teachers, the organization said.
In an open letter sent to chairman of CPN (Maoist), Prachanda, on the occasion of the Universal Children’s Day (Nov. 20) and made public on Saturday, the Amnesty said schools are still reportedly being forced to close. On 16 October, it was reported that over 600 students were forced to leave private schools from the Arghakhanchi district following intervention by the CPN (Maoist)-affiliated All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union (Revolutionary) [ANNISU-R]. Reports also indicate that the recruitment of children by the CPN (Maoist) continues.
Amnesty International has called upon the CPN (Maoist) to follow the unilateral ceasefire by what it said an end to the pattern of violence and intimidation (by its members), which continues to affect the lives of many children in Nepal.
“The continuing violence by the CPN (Maoist) reflects a total lack of commitment to the ceasefire and is a worrying trend in a country where the decade-long conflict has already resulted in widespread and serious human rights abuses and violations by both sides, including against children. School children are being denied their right to education, many have been abducted, recruited into the CPN (Maoist) and forcibly displaced. In addition, the ongoing conflict has left children traumatised and vulnerable,” the Amnesty said in its open letter.
“In the light of the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire and on the occasion of Universal Children’s Day, Amnesty International calls upon you to bring about an end to attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, indiscriminate attacks, killings, abductions and recruitment of child soldiers which have impacted so greatly on children’s lives and their basic human rights,” Purna Sen, director, Asia-Pacific regional programme of the Amnesty International said.
Since July, Amnesty International has received hundreds of messages and some remarkable artwork done by children, teachers and others from around the world in solidarity for those schools affected by the conflict in Nepal. The organization has also collected over 1,000 letters and online messages calling on the CPN (Maoist) to end its attacks on children and schools, a statement issued by the Amnesty said.
The Amnesty has also attached some of the sample online messages in the letter.
“I am a child victim of war. Today I am 24. The wounds still bleed. Please help the children. Do not let them grow up terrified and molested. Love them. Please do not let the children suffer! (Croatia) “You are struggling for liberty against an autocratic system while you are practicing repression but in a different direct. Give kids a better life” (Jordan). “Children are the strength of the future of Nepal. If their dreams are shattered, the whole country will perish… Children have a right to live a life of freedom and joy, and the right to a proper education” (Thailand) –“Please release all the children immediately. Don’t let the children suffer from this war that was started by adults.” (Finland), “If it was your child how would you feel, your child being hunted and abducted … and victimised, your children being forced to take part in a war that they don’t even know the ins’ and out’s of, your children missing out on an education, your child that is psychologically damaged for life, your child who doesn’t come home one day – please stop this now and give children a better future” (UK).
In the letter, Amnesty International has urged Prachanda to instruct all CPN (Maoist) cadres to abide by international humanitarian law; end the targeting of schools, abduction of children and teachers and ensure that all CPN (Maoist) cadres respect and protect children’s rights during their operations and in areas under their control.
Rights groups say nearly one third of the Maoist guerrillas are children below the age of 18. They say the rebels also mobilise children as messengers and aide to the guerrillas.
The rebels refute such allegations and say they don’t have the policy of recruiting child soldiers. nepalnews.com by Nov 19 05
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