UNDERMINING CHILD RIGHTS
The Himalayan Times
6 May 2010
Witnessing school and non-school going children participating in the politically motivated strikes and rallies and seeing disruption of ongoing examination of plus two students is very sad and quite distressing. Many thanks to National Coalition for Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP) for raising concerns over this issue as reported in the news article “Children in rallies concern CZOP” (THT, May 3, Page 3). However, simply expressing concern over such issues seems not enough to ensure children’s non-involvement in such activities in the days ahead.
Why do the political parties, who claim themselves as the nation builder, completely ignore the children’s fundamental rights to education? Who takes the lead to force the political parties to fully abide by the Convention on the rights of the Child, 1989 and its Optional Protocol, 2000? Why don’t they respect the Nepal’s Interim Constitution, 2007 that clearly spells out about the protection of children from any wrongdoings that go against their rights?
To disrupt the students’ examination and involve the children in the political activities are the most insensible and immoral acts. It has been now the utmost urgency to completely stop these kinds of irresponsible acts. But, the question arises here as to who takes the responsibility of doing so. Is it the UNICEF, or, the Ministry of Education and its allies engaged in child education and rights? If the concerned authorities fail to force the political parties to abide by the conventional rules, the fate of future generations of New Nepal will be uncertain with serious consequences.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
6 May 2010
Undermining child rights
Why do the political parties, who claim themselves as the nation builder, completely ignore the children’s fundamental rights to education? Who takes the lead to force the political parties to fully abide by the Convention on the rights of the Child, 1989 and its Optional Protocol, 2000? Why don’t they respect the Nepal’s Interim Constitution, 2007 that clearly spells out about the protection of children from any wrongdoings that go against their rights?
To disrupt the students’ examination and involve the children in the political activities are the most insensible and immoral acts. It has been now the utmost urgency to completely stop these kinds of irresponsible acts. But, the question arises here as to who takes the responsibility of doing so. Is it the UNICEF, or, the Ministry of Education and its allies engaged in child education and rights? If the concerned authorities fail to force the political parties to abide by the conventional rules, the fate of future generations of New Nepal will be uncertain with serious consequences.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
