KATHMANDU, May 26: Former Maoist child solider Lenin Bista wants the Government of Nepal to address the youth combatants' demand through social and economic packages based on the principle of social justice. Ex-soldier Bista, who has been lobbying with international organizations including the United Nations and the Parliamentary Forum for the Rights of Maoist Child Soldiers put forth this demand in a meeting with the European Union officials. Bista on Friday submitted a memorandum to the European External Action Services in Brussels of Belgium demanding both international community and Nepal government to work together for the betterment of ex-child soldiers.
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He briefed that over 4,008 ex-child soldiers disqualified by the United Nations in course of integrating and rehabilitating the then Maoist combatants are living a miserable life. Bista said that some of them have even been taken into custody by the state for continuously pressuring the government for justice. In the five-point demand submitted to the EEAS, Bista has demanded that the government and concerned parties should take the responsibility for the abuse of rights of children recruited during the insurgency.
