Kathmandu, July 22 The National Human Rights Commission has expressed serious concern about growing use of children in protest rallies and demonstrations organised by political parties and their sister organisations. The constitutional rights watchdog has urged the parties to refrain from using children in political activities. “The use of children in political activities is against Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 to which Nepal is a party, and in contravention of Article 39 of the Constitution of Nepal,” said a press statement issued by NHRC Spokesperson Mohana Ansari on behalf of the rights body. Nepal has already declared children and schools as peace zones. “As the political parties have also expressed commitment through their election manifestoes to ensure child rights, the use of children in political activities is very worrisome. The commission urges all concerned to think from the children’s side and allow the schools to run without any hindrance,” said the statement. The national rights watchdog has also urged political parties not to close schools and use school vehicles for political programmes and assemblies. The NHRC also said that its serious attention had been drawn to the arson attack on school vehicles, and urged the government to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.