KATHMANDU: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Sunday urged protesting parties and groups not to use children in their political demonstrations.

Expressing its concern over use of children during recent demonstrations against proposed demarcation of federal units in Jumla and other parts of the nation, the national human rights watchdog said protesting parties are acting against basic principles of child rights.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Children Act prohibit use of children in political demonstrations, according to the NHRC.

"It was against child rights to involve children in bandhs and strikes called with a demand of autonomous Karnali state, making them half-naked in Jumla on August 15," read a statement issued by NHRC Acting Secretary Bed Prasad Bhattarai.

The Commission has commented that use of children in political programmes is on the rise, of late.

"It is very sad that innocent children are being used for political causes," the statement added, "The Commission urges all concerned not to use children in this way and make an appropriate environment to run schools."

Meanwhile, the Commission also urged the government to take stern actions against those using children in demonstrations.