Amnesty International’s report on Nepal which says the children are among the worst hit in the on-going conflict is in line with what families of the conflict victims and rights activists have been saying for a long time. A large number of children have been directly or indirectly made to bear the brunt of the conflict since it first flared up. Thousands have been abducted, hundreds of them killed, recruited as child soldiers and yet others caught in the crossfire. The report cites an example of a child who, while in Maoist captivity, was made to carry bombs. Sexual abuse, including rape is rampant. The report leaves no doubt regarding the involvement of the security forces too, as exemplified by a case where they had shot a minor and raped a child bride.

In urging the States to respect the Convention of the Rights of the Child and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the AI says has been violated, the London-based rights watchdog has highlighted the tardiness on the part of the State, which as a guardian of human rights and civil liberties, has a greater responsibility even when engaged in an armed conflict. That, however, is not to be taken as a licence to exercise free will by the rebels. Extra-judicial killings are rampant and no distinction has been made between kids and adults by both the camps. Children enjoy right to protection under juvenile laws even when found guilty of committing a crime, an aspect that has been disregarded in Nepal.

Even in course of security search operations, little distinction is being made between adults, and child combatants or suspects, who are often held incommunicado. Worse, security personnel mobilised to protect people’s rights have been known to get involved in assaulting children. These are certain aspects the security agencies themselves need to investigate and do justice to the victims. Such measures will go a long way in restoring the public’s confidence in the country’s security agencies. The rebels also have an obligation to respect the human rights of the children and there is no justification for dragging kids to conflict. The young ones need all the protection so that they are spared the trauma and horror of harassment. So far, reports like that of the AI’s have not succeeded in putting an end to the abuses. It is high time the warring sides took the suggestions seriously.