VOA News - Children Suffer Grave Abuses in Nepal Conflict

Nepali woman holds her child as Maoist soldiers take part in a ceremony (2004 photo)

By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
26 July 2005

Human rights group Amnesty International says children in Nepal are being killed and tortured by both rebels and security forces in the country's brutal civil war.

A new report by the London-based human-rights group Amnesty International says a decade-long rebellion that aims to turn Nepal into a communist republic has been a disaster for children.

Claire Castillejo, who wrote the report, says the situation is worsening as the rebellion intensifies. 'We found that children are being killed, they are being detained illegally, tortured, girls are being raped and children are being abducted and used as soldiers,' she said.

The report says the rebels use children for fighting, spying on security forces or carrying arms and ammunition. These children then become the target of security forces, who detain and torture youngsters suspected of involvement with the Maoist rebels. Ms. Castillego says the government forces are also guilty of extra-judicial executions.

'Amnesty is concerned that security forces are just not distinguishing between children and adults,' she said. 'When they come to look for Maoist suspects, if they think the children are involved in Maoist activities they are picking them up, arresting them and treating them as they would adults. We are calling on security forces for separate rules for engagement for children and adults.'

A Nepalese army spokesman denied allegations that security forces had killed or tortured children, and said the army is committed to protecting human rights.

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