Child Victims of Maoist Insurgency

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000925

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER ASEC CASC PHUM KWMN PINR NP
SUBJECT: Child Victims of Maoist Insurgency

REF: KATHMANDU 450


1. Summary. At least eighty-five children have been
killed during the six-year-long Maoists insurgency and
many others wounded or pressed into service, according to
a recent report by a local child-welfare NGO. The
conflict will take a heavy psychological toll on Nepal's
children, the report concludes. The International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is "quite concerned"
about the status of children affected by the conflict, and
would like to engage the Maoists on child rights issues,
the ICRC representative in Nepal says. The Maoists have
shown no qualms about using child soldiers and appear to
be enlisting them in increasing numbers. End Summary.

Effect of Insurgency on Children: The Numbers
--------------


2. At least 85 children have been killed as a result of
the violent Maoist insurgency launched in February 1996,
according to a press release accompanying an annual report
on the state of children's rights in Nepal released May 1
by a local NGO, Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN). 41 of
these children were killed by Maoist landmines and
indiscriminate bombings. [Note: The Royal Nepalese Army
(RNA) does not have landmines.] 70 other children have
been seriously injured in the conflict. [Comment: CWIN
has confirmed 85 child deaths, but this represents the
bare minimum and the actual number is certainly much
higher. Reliable information about Maoist casualties is
not available. The Maoists routinely disfigure or behead
their own dead in order to hide their identities. Before
recent attacks the Maoists dug mass graves so as to
dispose of their fallen comrades more easily. End
Comment.]


3. CWIN has received reports of 30 children abducted by
the rebels - "Shanghaied" - and two cases of sexual abuse
of young girls involved in the Maoist movement. The press
release states that 83 minors have been arrested and
detained by the police or army. [Note: In February
Emboffs interviewed several Maoist child recruits held at
an army base near the southwestern city of Nepalgunj,
including girls aged 12 and 14 who claimed to have been
raped repeatedly (Reftel). End Note.]

Children Traumatized, Marginalized
--------------


4. The report notes that although no scientific studies
have been carried out on the effects of the insurgency on
children, the consequences of the conflict "are directly
or indirectly affecting children in their social,
physical, mental and emotional development." Thousands of
children have suffered psychological trauma. Moreover,
children are being further marginalized as funds for
health and education have to be diverted for security
purposes. In particular, fatal communicable diseases are
likely to spread, the report concludes.


5. Maoist attacks on infrastructure - including drinking
water and hydropower projects, milk distribution centers
and health posts - have also jeopardized the health of
Nepal's children. The loss of the electricity supply
causes difficulties in delivering many vaccines, for
example by breaking the cold chain. These actions will
likely lead to an increase in infant mortality in Nepal.

ICRC "Quite Concerned" About Nepal's Children
--------------


6. The ICRC representative in Nepal voiced his concern
about the situation of Nepal's children in a May 10
meeting with Ambassador. ICRC would like to raise
children's rights issues in talks with the Maoists, but
has so far been unable to do so. In a mission to Maoist
areas in 2001, ICRC personnel did not see many child
soldiers, but ICRC has not conducted such missions
recently and has no way of knowing whether or not Maoist
recruitment of children has increased.

Comment
--------------


7. The Maoists have shown no compunction about using
children as fighters and cannon fodder. According to
recent information - including Reftel interviews with some
child soldiers themselves - Maoists have of late begun
impressing more and more young people into their ranks.
As evidenced by the CWIN report and ICRC's involvement,
both local and international institutions are engaged with
this issue. This problem will need continued attention
because even if an accommodation is eventually reached
between the government and the Maoists, many children will
be permanently traumatized. According to all concerned,
the conflict will have a long-lasting and severe effect on
the current generation of Nepalese youth.
MALINOWSKI