NHRC hauls up ruling coalition over coals for flouting child rights

Kathmandu, December 10:

A recent study carried out by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has found that the government was not serious in implementing the directives of the Supreme Court, recommendations of the UN Committee on Child Rights and the NHRC.

The study report stated that the government had not promulgated the Act on the economic and social rights of children, disabled and backward people.

“The government is yet to show its concern in setting up reform homes and introduce provisions against the detention of minors with aged convicts,” the NHRC report stated.

The report further said that the government was yet to form Juvenile Court despite the apex court order.

“The government is not keen on ensuring the Badi children’s rights for birth registration and citizenship certificate,” the report added.

The report further added that the government was not serious about providing rights to physically challenged children, prohibiting the Kamlari custom (domestic helper) and providing facilities to conflict-hit children.

It also said that the government had failed to promulgate Act on right to secrecy as per the Supreme Court order.

Stating that it had recommended the government to declare schools as peace zone, the report said that the government was yet to implement its recommendation in practice.

The report also said that the government was not updating existing Acts in line with the Convention of Child Rights and that the government was not allocating budget for

the development of the children.

“Though the NHRC had recommended the government to provide free education, the government is yet to implement it,” the report said, adding, “The government is still failing to provide sufficient number of textbooks for children in different parts of the country.”