“It has been mentioned in all the conversations we had that the situation of the children affected by conflict has to be seen in the broader context of the peace process.[break]
So, we should expect, of course, that this inter-linkage between different issues is going to be a very clear reference. So we expect that the Maoist party will fully comply with the Action Plan that was adopted,” Heller told media persons when asked whether the UCPN-M will be crossed off the list.
The UCPN (Maoist) features in such a list since 2005. And if the former rebel party complies with the 2009 plan of action, which had led to the discharge of disqualified combatants, including minors, from cantonments early this year, it will be crossed off the list. The government, the UCPN (Maoist) and the UN had signed the plan of action on December 16, 2009.
The list is due to be reviewed in April next year. Heller was in Kathmandu since Sunday, leading a delegation to assess progress in the implementation of the action plan. During his stay till Friday, Heller had interacted with Prime Minister Madhav Nepal, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Peace and Reconstruction Minister Rakam Chemjong and other political leaders to have the first-hand knowledge about the situation of the children affected by the armed conflict.
“The government and the Maoists both have responsibilities under the Action Plan, and removal of parties from these lists is contingent on full compliance with action plans signed with the parties concerned,” Heller further said in a statement issued on Friday.
Heller said the Working Group received information that there are pending matters for the full implementation of the action plan.
“The commitments that were made in signing the agreement last December have to be very clearly respected -- that the release is a real one and is not a fictional process, but a real one, that there is a release in the sense that no linkages are maintained with the commanders of the Maoist party, no money is received and no contacts are maintained with these released children,” he said.
When asked to comment on the reports that the released minors are living in barracks in Dhangadi, Attariya and other parts, he said, “So, these kinds of concerns of course we have to receive, but we need also have very clear verification of these allegations.”
Replying to a query as to when the process of verification of the allegations would start, Heller said, “We will establish a formal proposal in order that the leadership of the Maoist party will agree. So it will take a few days.”
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