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Press Release
The press release issued
by CWIN on the occasion of signing of code of conduct governing
the cease-fire and peace talks between the government and
the Maoists on March 13.
CHILDREN ARE ZONE
OF PEACE
The agreement on the code of conduct governing
the cease-fire and peace talks between the state and the rebelling
parties has opened door to the hope of peaceful outlet to
the problem plaguing the country for last seven years. We
heartily welcome such a move, which respects the wish of the
people of transforming present cease-fire into lasting peace.
In course of the armed conflict in the country, violence has
not spared even a single element of the society. Violence
and counter-violence have directly affected the children who
are considered weak and vulnerable section of the society.
According to the recorded and compiled cases of children being
directly affected by the violence, 150 children have lost
their lives and about 500 have been injured. Likewise, almost
2000 children have been orphaned while over 4000 are estimated
to have been displaced. The information of many other victimised
children is yet to come to the limelight. The disruption in
the smooth functioning of education, health sectors and supply
of food - which are vital for development of children - has
directly affected tens of thousands of children.
Therefore, what we believe is the issues
of children who have been affected worst by the conflict should
also get high priority in the efforts initiated for the lasting
peace in the country. Apart from this, we appeal the following
to the all concerned parties to respect the children as a
zone of peace in the days to come:
- Schools should be declared zone of peace
and cessation of all political activities affecting the
schoolchildren within the school premises.
- Helping in running the schools in an
environment free from fear by bringing the unfavourable
situation (for example: lack of adequate teachers, using
the school premises and the surroundings by government or
rebel forces, damage of physical infrastructures) to normalcy.
- Identification of the children who have
undergone mental trauma during the conflict and giving training
to the teachers so as to lessen the level of trauma and
conducting various other activities. Providing services
of psycho-social counselling to the affected children.
- Helping in social reintegration of the
children captured or used by any of the parties for suppression
of the opponents by first releasing them (if they are still
in captivity or prisons).
- No discrimination of the victimised children
on any grounds during the relief and social reintegration
of the children and while providing other humanitarian aids
to them.
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