Nepal: UN reports progress in rehabilitating child soldiers from civil war
(November 27, 2010) A Security Council working group on Friday reported significant
progress on the release and reintegration of thousands of Nepalese child soldiers
who fought in the decade-long civil war between the then-royalist government and Maoist
insurgents. During “a very constructive” week-long visit, the Working Group for children
and armed conflict conferred with the Government and the Unified Communist Party of
Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) on the Action Plan the two signed with the United Nations last
December for the re-integration of minors released by the Maoist army. “I am particularly
pleased to report on the commitments that the UCPN (Maoist) and other political party
officials made during our discussions,” Mexican Ambassador Claude Heller, chairman
of the Working Group, told reporters in Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital. “The Working
Group feels these commitments constitute a significant step in the right direction
for the children and youth of Nepal,” he said, citing UPCN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal
Dahal’s agreement to significantly strengthen coordination with the UN to monitor
implementation of the Action Plan so as to address remaining challenges in its execution.
Under this agreement, the UN Monitoring Team will meet with the UCPN-M on a regular
basis to address the concerns that have been reported. On talks with the Government,
Mr. Heller noted that the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction pledged to press for
Cabinet approval and speedy implementation of the national plan to rehabilitate and
reintegrate child solders and other conflict-affected children.