Summary:
Former Maoist child soldiers in Nepal are seeking justice for years of neglect by successive governments. They have filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding prosecution of top Maoist leaders, including former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai, for using minors in armed conflict during the decade-long insurgency. Despite initial resistance from the court and slow judicial proceedings, the case is moving forward. Legal experts classify the use of child soldiers as a war crime under international law, but existing national laws fall short of explicitly addressing reparations for minors. The government has provided some compensation to former combatants but little to those disqualified as minors. Former child soldiers have also appealed to international bodies such as the UN for justice.
Key Points:
- Petition Filed: Nine former child soldiers led by Lenin Bista filed a Supreme Court petition in 2023 demanding prosecution of Maoist leaders Dahal and Bhattarai.
- Legal Challenges: Petition registration was initially denied due to jurisdiction issues but later accepted; final hearing held in July 2023 after delays.
- International Law Violation: Use of minors in armed conflict is considered a war crime; thousands of verified child soldiers were recruited during the Maoist insurgency.
- Government Response: Some financial support was given to combatants choosing voluntary retirement; minors disqualified from integration received minimal aid.
- Calls for Justice: Former child soldiers and advocates seek accountability and compensation, citing failure of past transitional justice efforts.
- UN Involvement: Petition was also submitted to the UN Human Rights Office demanding prioritization of justice for former child soldiers.
The case reflects ongoing struggles over transitional justice in Nepal's post-conflict period and highlights gaps in addressing the rights and rehabilitation of child combatants.
Archive: https://archive.md/S7v3Z