Lalitpur, November 20:

On the occasion of 16th International Child Rights Day here today, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW) and UNICEF jointly disseminated concluding observations on Nepal’s report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The committee noted several positive developments in terms of legislation, ratification of conventions, and development of national plans. At the same time, it also noted a climate of fear, insecurity and impunity resulting from the armed conflict and the state of emergency which had serious negative physical and psychological impact on the development of children in the country.

Nepal, a State party under article 44 of the convention, submitted its report to the CRC in May 2005, and the committee responded in June with a series of “Concluding Observations”.

Speaking on the occasion, minister Durga Shrestha said despite the government’s effort to create a favourable environment for children’s growth and their development the lack of financial and technical facilities, management skills on part of the government and the ongoing conflict are obstacles in the goal.

She added, “As part of extending services to the children’s sector, the government is gearing up to operate a bench for juvenile justice. Besides, a code of conduct to run the children’s home is in the final stages of preparation.”