Opinion | Reclaiming the dignity of child soldiers of the People’s War
Summary
Nearly two decades after the Nepal conflict, the Supreme Court directs the state to address the ongoing trauma of former child soldiers by amending transitional justice laws to include child soldiering as a serious human rights violation and calls for comprehensive rehabilitation with international support.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court of Nepal recognized the injustice faced by nearly 3,000 child soldiers used during the decade-long conflict and directed redress.
- International and local peacebuilding initiatives failed to adequately address the human rights violations involving child soldiers.
- The government must amend the Transitional Justice Act to include child soldiering as a serious human rights violation to ensure accountability.
- Comprehensive rehabilitation and compensation for former child soldiers require international financial and technical support to restore their dignity and opportunities.
