Press Release

"Children Are Zone of Peace"

Regardless the existing nature of the national crisis, children are the zone of peace. International humanitarian laws and international human rights instruments such as United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 1989, CRC - Optional Protocol 2002, Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 1949 and its two optional protocols of 1977 have clearly defined that both the state and non-state parties are equally responsible for the promotion and promotion of children at times of armed conflicts. Nepal, as a state party, is a signatory to these international instruments. Likewise, the non-state party currently involved in the armed conflict in Nepal has time and again reiterated their commitment towards respect of human rights and proper implementation of the international instruments including that of the Geneva Convention. Right to protection from exploitation and abuse, right to education, right to survival and right to love and care must be ensured to the children at any circumstances. It is the responsibility of both the state and non-state parties involved in an armed conflict to respect these fundamental rights of the children. The civil society should also play a crucial role in assisting in this mission.
More than 48 percent of the total population in Nepal comprises of children (Census 2001). Children are the pillars of national development and are rays of hope for bright future. But unfortunately, the reality is - over 146 children have lost their precious lives, more than 95 have been wounded and almost 2000 children have been left homeless in course of the seven-year-old armed conflict in the country. Likewise, over 4000 countryside children have been displaced. This is a bitter reality. Time and again we come to hear the news of children being used in armed conflict or being abducted or arrested from their schools. This has seriously drawn due attention of ours and other organisations working with children. Hence, we appeal to the parties involved in the conflict and the civil society to extend following cooperation, so as to extend basic humanitarian aid to the affected children:

1. Extending full cooperation to peace workers affiliated with various humanitarian agencies working for the benefit of children affected by the armed conflict, in carrying out activities and for their mobility in the field.
   
2. Respecting the non-alliance and non-partiality of the organisations that have focused their assistance to children by abiding by certain code of conduct.
   
3. Respecting the conception of Children are Zone of Peace and following it in practice.

To protect children from adverse impacts of the armed conflict, let's declare and respect children and the places where they are, as zone of peace. Such areas include vaccination centres set up for children, health centres and hospitals, the courtyards where they are brought up, child development centres and schools, playgrounds etc.

Lets not make children suffer from violence, lets lead them along the path of meaningful peace. On behalf of the organisations working for best interest of children, we would like appeal to the state party, non-state party and the civil society to respect the notion that "Children are the Zone of Peace". Let's join hands between civil society and the organisations in this campaign and fulfil common responsibilities.