UNICEF urges Maoists to extend ceasefire

As the three-month long unilateral ceasefire declared by the Maoists nears to an end, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday said that extension of the ceasefire would be of enormous benefit to Nepal’s children and their families.

“Extending the ceasefire would give Nepal’s children the chance to hope that they will have a future in their own country,” a statement issued by the UNICEF quoted UNICEF’s Representative, Dr Suomi Sakai as saying.

She noted that the UN Secretary-General on November 23 had also urged a declaration of a reciprocal ceasefire by the government.

Reviewing the three months of unilateral ceasefire, Dr Sakai added, “The last three months has given some children and their families the chance to start recovering from the effects of the conflict.”

“In peacetime Nepal, school was seen as a place of knowledge and learning, not as a source of doubt about whether children would be coming home again," the statement added.

The statement further said that bandhs and other restrictions close down their schools, and deny them access to transport and health care.

The three month long unilateral ceasefire declared by Maoists will expire on December 2. nepalnews.com pb Nov 30 05

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