"Declare children as Zone of Peace in Nepal"

The news of violence and terror in schools has drawn our attention. We are deeply concerned about it. We ask the government, security forces and Maoists of Nepal to protect the rights of children. More and more children are being abducted from their schools in the remote villages and innocent children are targets of bullets of the security forces. Children are being kept in the frontline of the battle by the Maoist insurgents who are fighting the "People's War" since 1996 to make Nepal a republic state.

"This should abruptly stop. We cannot hear any more bad news about our children. We appeal to all concerned parties to respect human rights of the children and spare their lives. Meanwhile, the United Nations has strongly reacted to the news about children being recruited as soldiers by the Maoists in Nepal. The International Human Rights World Report also finds the Nepal government and Maoist rebels guilty of severe human rights abuses, including the torture and execution of civilians.

According to Nepali Human Rights activists who have met children in the affected districts, there are marked changes in the children's behavior. Children of the affected families want to take revenge on the enemy, either a Maoist or Army.

Children are today suspicious, apprehensive and vengeful. Some children want to be recruited as soldiers so that they can use guns to kill their enemies. The children are undergoing severe mental and physical trauma due to killings, abduction and injuries. For grown up children, there are only two choices, either join Maoist forces or face the bullets from the security forces.

We hereby condemn the abduction of children and using them as soldiers or in the battle. We argue all the concerned parties to safeguard and promote the rights of children and not to let those violent activities happen anymore. Let Children be declared as a Zone of Peace and let it be done without any delay.