Children in the Ranks

The Maoists’ Use of Child Soldiers in Nepal

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Map of Nepal

I. Summary and Introduction

Key recommendations

Methodology

II. Background

The civil war’s impact on children

The People’s Movement and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement

III. Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers

The Maoists’ denials

“Voluntary” enlistment

Recruitment campaigns

IV. Forced Recruitment

Box: Govinda’s abduction

Recruitment of child soldiers after the ceasefire

V. Treatment of Children in the Ranks

In the line of fire

Weapons training

Combat support

Attempts to escape

Box: Ram’s escape

VI. The Government’s Detention of Former Child Soldiers and Failure to Provide Rehabilitation Assistance

Detention of children

Pre-ceasefire mistreatment of children in detention

Lack of rehabilitation and reintegration programs for former child soldiers

VII. International Legal Standards

VIII. Detailed Recommendations

To the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)

To the Government of Nepal

To the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal

To the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

To UNICEF

To the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict

To International Donors (including India, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland, and Scandinavian Countries)

To the United Nations Security Council

To All United Nations member states

Acknowledgements

 

February 2007     Volume 19, No. 2(C)