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Reconciliation:ForSustainablePeaceBuildingAnnual Report 2011
HimalayanHumanRightsMonitors(HimRights)Inar, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal
P.O. Box 4690, Kathmandu
Tel: +97715555111, 5521180
Fax: +97715554880
Email: [email protected]
Web: wwww.himrights.org
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The country is in sixth year of peace process. In this period, many
remarkableprogresseswereseen.3902exchildsoldierswereverified
asminoranddischargedfromtheCantonments.Forrehabilitationand
reintegrationofdischargedminorsandotherconflictaffectedchildren,
MinistryofPeace andReconstruction cameupwith NationalPlanof
Actionon
Rehabilitation
and
Reintegration
of
Children
affected
by
armed conflict in 2010. Implementation of NPA is very crucial for
addressingtheissuesofCACandchallenginginthesametime.
Therearestillmanyconflictrelatedissuesthatneedtobeaddressedby
both conflicting parties. Several policies and provisions have been
promulgatedandvictimsarepartlyprovidedwithreliefpackages;and
justiceisstilldistantrealityformostofthem.Voicesofconflictaffected
childrenfrommarginalizedcommunitiesarestillunheardandtheyhave
verynominal access tojustice. Thus, it is very important to facilitate
theminaccesstojusticeandbringtheminreconciliationprocess.
WestartedReconciliationprogramwithconflictaffectedchildreninten
districts in2008. In2008program,participantssharedthatoneofthe
majorchallengewasdifficulties intheirreintegrationathome,schools
and society was being nonempathetic and unsupportive from their
families, friends, teachers and community people. Thus, in 2009,we
conducted reconciliationworkshopwith communitypeople, teachers,
and guardians for their effective reintegration. Furthermore, public
dialogueswere
also
conducted
in
those
districts.
Reconciliation
workshop helped community people, teachers and guardians to
internalizetheirroles inreintegrationofCACwhereas,publicdialogue
servedastheverybestplatformforCACtovoicetheirissuesandshare
their testimonies. It also made stakeholders accountable for past
violationsandensuringjusticetothevictims.
Based on the
achievementofprevious
years program, we felt
urgencytoexpandthese
programs in other
districts. This year, we
selected four new
districts, Makwanpur,
Bardiya, Kanchanpur
ExecutiveSummary
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2
andIlamandimplementedreconciliationworkshop,publicdialogueandexhibitionofartworks
madebyCAC.
Weworkedwithmore than200CACwithdifferentexperiencesof conflict.Traumahealing,
developmentofpositive self imageandconfidencesare someof themajoroutcomesof the
reconciliationworkshops.
On
the
other
hand,
public
dialogues
were
able
to
bring
CAC
from
very
marginalized and excluded communitieswho are out of touch fromjustice process and to
facilitatetheirvoicetobeheardatlargerlevel,mainstreamedtheminjusticeprocess.
Similarly, artworks prepared by CACwere exhibited at district levelwhich served childrens
voicesandexperiencesatlargerpeople.Theseexhibitionshelpedtoincreaseempathytowards
CACwhichultimatelyhelpedincommunityreintegrationprocess.Theseartworkaredisplayed
at United Nations headquarter in New York byWatchList on Children and Armed Conflict.
Similarly,fewpoemsandpersonalstoriesaretranslatedinEnglishandprocesstobedisplayed
in
Peace
Museum,
Patan
Dhoka.
In addition to it,Mural painting program on Paris
principle on Children and armed conflict is also
carried out in Rautahat to sensitize on illegal
recruitmentandrerecruitmentofchildrenbyarmed
forcesandarmedgroupsespecially inTerai region.
The vivid graphic murals along with slogans were
centerofattentionofboth localsand travelersand
to sensitize of both literate as well as illiterate
people.
Furthermore,we produced a TV serial,ASMITA, against sexual violence and aired onNepal
Television.Theobjectiveistocreatemassiveawarenessandtoforwardthemessageonsexual
violence.Thisserialhighlightsthedailyharassmentofgirlsfacedonsexualviolenceaswellas
thepositive supportive roleof individual, teachers, communitypeople and lawenforcement
agencies toend suchpervasiveviolence.Weareable to take thismessage forwardatwider
levelaudience.Manyappreciatedthisserialandsuggestedtomaketheseepisodesavailablein
CDsandDVDs.Stakeholdersandpolicymakersrecommendedtoextendfewmoreepisodeson
differentaspects
of
sexual
violence.
Likewise, people watched this serial across the country; many said that in the increasing
scenarioof sexual violence this serial couldbe very important tool to address thisproblem.
Similarly,discussionsweredonewithlocalpeoplefromHumlaandJumlaregardingtheimpact
of the serial.People from thoseplaces said itwasvery important and shouldbe continued.
Furthermore,thechildrenwhoactedintheserialarealsofromveryremoteareasandthiswas
theirfirstexperience.
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3
We successfully conducted three different programs with conflict affected children in four
districtsasapartofcommunityreconciliation.Weareabletobringchildrenaffectedbyboth
sidesofconflict.Throughoutthewholeprocess,wehaveseenchildrenwithstrongfeelingof
revengetranscendingsuchfeelingintocompassionandforgiveness.
Inthis
context,
Iwould
like
to
extend
my
gratitude
to
all
the
children
from
4districts
for
trustingusineachprocessandsharingtheirstories,issuesandtimeinmakingthisinitiationa
hugesuccess.
I immensely appreciate UNICEF for their support. I would also like to thank UNICEF child
protection and communication department especially Karen Anderson, Radha Gurung,
BhawanaSubedi,EvanRaiandSanjuBhattaraifortheirsupportinthiswholeprocess.
I would like to expressmy heartfelt appreciation to all the district coordinators and focal
personswithout theirvigorand tirelesseffort reachingour targetparticipantswouldnotbe
possible.Similarly,
my
sincere
appreciation
goes
to
the
Resource
person,
Moderator,
PsychosocialCounselor,ArtistandRapporteur:RameshKumarPaudel,ShivaAdhikari,Prakash
Upadhaya,GitaSubedi,PadmaChanda,SukumayaSunar,RajanKhadka,PanchaRatnaDangol
andRajanMaharjan.Similarly,IamthankfultoentireteamofTVserial,MadhavPradhanfrom
PeoplesAudioVisual andEventManagement,actors, and technical teamaswell as Swapna
BatikaSchool.IamequallygratefultoNepalTelevisionforgivingtimetotelecastthisserial.
Once again I thank and applaud theparticipants,CDOs, LDOs, Policeofficers, Politicalparty
representatives, especiallyMaoist,NGOs,UNICEF partnerorganization and entireHimRights
teamfor
contributing
in
successful
completion
of
this
project.
AnjanaShakya
Chairperson
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TableofContentsExecutiveSummary1Abbreviation4Background....6
Objective...8TargetGroups....8ProjectActivities.....9Findings...14Achievements..17Challenges....19
Recommendations..20Conclusion.21ProgramDistricts..22DistrictwiseProgram.23
Makwanpur...23Bardiya..27
Kanchanpur...31Ilam.35
Annex.39GlimpseoftheProgram...39MediaCoverage....45District
Focal
Persons
and
Local
Partner
Organizations....46
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4
Abbreviation
CAAFAG:ChildrenAssociatedwithArmedForceandArmedGroup
CAC:ConflictAffectedChildren
CDO:ChiefDistrictOfficer
DAO:DistrictAdministrationOffice
DDC:DistrictDevelopmentCommittee
DEO:DistrictEducationOffice
IDP:InternallyDisplacedPeople
LDO:LocalDevelopmentOfficer
LPC:LocalPeaceCommittee
NHRC:NationalHumanRightsCommission
NA:NepaleseArmy
NPA:NationalPlanofAction
NGO:NongovernmentOrganization
PLA:PeoplesLiberationArmy
UCPN(M):UnifiedCommunistPartyofNepal(Maoists)
UNICEF:UnitedNationsChildrensFund
VDC:VillageDevelopmentCommittee
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6
BackgroundCountlesschildrenhavebeentraumatizedbygravehumanrightsviolationsduringtheconflictinNepal.
TheMaoists and the governing state at the time (andother armed groups)have tortured andoften
killed individualssuspectedofbeingassociatedwiththeiropposition infrontoftheirfamilies.Children
have witnessed their parents kidnapped at guns points, and in some cases, they have seen their
schoolteachers
mutilated,
hanged,
and/or
shot
in
the
school
premises.
Often
times,
children
have
been
directly tortured or killed. Many children were maimed or killed during intense crossfire or from
landminesandIEDexplosions.Moreover,theyhavebeenusedaschildsoldiersandevennow,theyare
beingrerecruitedbyarmedgroups.ThisisespeciallythecaseintheTarairegion.
As a result, conflictaffected children (CACs) are facing many problems, psychologically, physically,
emotionally, socially and economically. For instance, having been tortured themselves and/or seen
loved ones kidnapped and brutally tortured,many children overcamewith a need to retaliate and
avengethemselvesand/ortheirfamilymembers.Andaschildrenarefacingthetraumaofpastconflict,
giventhatarmedgroupsstillremain,morechildrenarebeingvictimizedorrevictimized.Therearenew
casesofabductions,mineexplosionrelatedkillingsandinjuries,torture,andimprisonments.Moreover,
CACs thatare strugglingwith the traumaofviolenceand/or thosewhoarestruggling to survivemay
willinglyjoin
various
armed
groups
hungry
to
recruit
more
new
members.
Inthistransitionalpostconflictperiod,stepstofacilitatethereconciliationprocessamongsttheconflict
victimsareabsolutelycriticalforsocialcohesionandlongtermpeacebuildingsothatviolencedoesnot
continue.Effortsto fostertrustand faithbetweenvictims frombothsidesoftheconflictingpartyare
necessary.Children canplayan important role in thisprocess,oneof themainobstacles for conflict
victimsinNepalhasbeentheabsenceofsafespacesforthemtosharetheirgrievancesanddiscusstheir
experiences during the conflict. This has implication not only for the rehabilitation of the individual
victimsbutalsoforstrategiesthatarebeingdevelopedforthecountryasawhole.Childrenvoiceshave
beenparticularabsentinanydiscussionsrelatedtotheconflict,andwhentheybeenincludedthefocus
has beenmainly on CAAFAG.Hence, less attention has been given to childrenwhowere victims of
violenceduring
the
conflict
and
this
project
aims
at
rectifying
the
current
approach
by
providing
children
affectedbyconflictwithaplatformtodiscusstheirexperiencesandtoputforwardtheirgrievancesand
demandsto relevantdecisionmakersthroughaprocesswhichensuresthattheyareempoweredasa
agent for change in their own lives and communities. CACsmust receive support and assistance to
overcometheplightsandtraumafromconflict.ThismethodologywillensurethatCACsbecomeagents
ofpeaceratherthanagentsofviolencearenecessary.
Adult family members, who are often victims themselves, do not necessarily take steps or are
empoweredtoensurethattheirchildrenareproperlysupported.Withoutunderstandingthatphysical,
emotional and social trauma can elicit eccentric behavior, community members often marginalize
eccentric CACs. Thus, unless the individuals that surround CACs have an understanding of the
difficultiesthey
face,
an
environment
that
is
sensitive,
empathetic
and
caring
towards
CAC
will
not
be
possible; this isamessage thatwasemphasized inourprogram lastyear.Oneparticipant,a teacher
shared,Thisworkshophasbeenverybeneficial forus,aswe realizedour role inCACsreintegration
andgotadeeperunderstandingoftheimpactsofconflictonchildren.
Aspecialgroupamong,CACsareexchildsoldierswhoareexperiencingdifficultiesintheirreintegration
with their family, schools, community and their country. Individuals and institutions often ignore,
stereotype, ostracize, and/ or marginalize and victimize children, thereby revictimizing CAC and
aggravatingpastwounds.
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7
Furthermore, during and post armed conflict situation, children were not only the group who are
seriouslyaffectedbyarmedconflict;anothersuchvulnerablegroupisthemanygirlsandyoungwomen
thatwerevictimsofrapeandsexualabuse.Womenwereaffectedinamajorwayduringtheprolonged
armedconflict initiatedbytheCommunistPartyofNepal(CPNM).Accordingto INSECYearbook2007
data,820womenwerekilledbythestateand193womenwerekilledbyMaoistsduringtheconflict.
However,manywhowereraped,sexuallyabusedandharasseddonotwanttospeakaboutitforfearof
losingsocialdignityandrespect intheirsociety. Inthisculture,womensandgirlschastityandsexual
faithfulness to theirhusband/family isof immense importance for familyhonor and repute. Inmost
cases, girls andwomenwho are sexually abused, harassed or raped are viewedwith contempt and
blamed.Asa result, there isacultureof silenceamongstvictimizedwomen. Theyhave tocarry the
burdenofpainfulsecrets,makingitdifficulttolivefulfillingliveswiththeirfamilymembers.Shame,self
contempt,andhatemayconsumegirlsaffectedbysexualviolence.Thistrauma,ifnotaddressedcould
betransmittedtotheirfuturegenerationtoo.
InUNICEFandHimRightseffortsonReconciliationWorkshop,therehasbeenfewparticipantswhowere
victimof sexualabuseand rape.Similarly, In theComicbook farewell to firearmsMay2005,Path to
ReconciliationAugust
2007
and
the
Reconciliation
workshop
for
conflict
affected
women
HimRights
workedwithvictimsofsexualviolence.Wehave initiatedvariousprogramstoensuretheirrightsand
empower them to voice their rights at various levels. In the initialphase, theparticipanthad strong
feelingtotakerevengeandcommittingsuicide.Theyfindhardtoparticipateandopenupbut later in
process,areabletoarticulatetheirexperiencesandtranscendtheirtraumaticandvengefulfeelingsand
developed positive self image. The entire process became a healing experience for them and felt
empowered to voice their issues and fight for the rights. They realizedmany women with similar
experiencelikethemselvesorevenworse,andwhowerenotabletovoicetheirexperiencesshouldget
rightstojustice.Theyfelttheyshouldhaveaplatformtovoicetheirissuesandtheirrightsensured.
In the international experience of post conflict countries, when the violence in public space ends
violencein
private
space
increases.
In
Nepal
although
there
are
no
systematic
documentation
on
sexual
violenceduring and inpost conflict situation.Recently, therehasbeenmore reportingofRape. It is
reportedthatinthefiscalyearof2065/66thereare466casesreportedundersexualabuseaccordingto
Nepal Police Women and Children Cell. Among them 68% cases are of child under 18 years:
(NayaPatrika,December25,2009)Thus, it iscrucial toensure thatgirlsandwomenaffectedbysexual basedviolenceareable tovoice
theirissuesandconcernsloudandclearwithdignity,respectandtheirrighttoprivacymaintained.They
shouldget supportive role fromevery individual,communityand lawenforcementagencies.Thus, to
ensure this, it is important to take this message forward to the wider people, to create massive
awareness.Oureffort issmallsteptowardsprovidingthemempatheticandsupportiveenvironmentin
thecommunityatlarge.
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8
Objective1) Protect andprevent against theunlawful recruitmentof children from armed groups and armed
forces.
2) Toempower conflictaffected childrenand youngwomen victimof sexualviolence to claim their
rights.
3) Develop
opportunities
to
promote
the
perspectives
of
children
and
young
girls
and
women
victim
of
sexualviolenceatpolicylevel.
4) Tobreakthesilencesurroundingsexualviolenceinthesocietyandcontributetoachangeinsocietal
attitudetowardsitsvictims.
5) Supportconflictaffectedchildrensempowerment tobecomeagentsofchange in theirown lives
andintheircommunity.
TargetGroups1) Children affected by armed conflict (e.g.,mine victims, "disqualified"minors, child soldiers, the
physicallychallenged,victimsofcommunalviolence,andtheinternallydisplaced)and
2) Girlsand
young
women
victims
of
sexual
violence;
sexually
abused/
raped
during
and
post
armed
conflictperiod.
3) Governmentstakeholders,Politicalparties,community,parents,teacherandschoolchildren.
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9
Threemajor activitieshavebeen carriedout in2010.Workshopon SocialCohesion andPeace
Building, Public Dialogue and Exhibition of Artwork were conducted as Community
Reconciliation Initiatives in4districts;Makwanpur,Bardiya, Kanchanpur, and Ilam. Similarly,
another program Mural painting on Paris Principle on Children and Armed Conflict was
conductedin
Rautahat
district.
Likewise,
aTV
serial
against
sexual
violence
was
produced
and
aired throughNepalTelevision to create awarenessonwhat girls are facingdailyon Sexual
Violence.
1. WorkshoponSocialCohesionforPeaceBuildingthroughArtPromotingreconciliation,empoweringconflictaffectedchildren
Ineachdistrict,30Childrenwithdifferentexperiencesofarmedconflictwereselectedfor
the5day Workshopon SocialCohesionandPeaceBuilding.Theywerevictims fromboth
conflictingparties
including
ex
child
soldiers,
orphans,
victims
of
explosives/mines
(IED)
andchildrenfromfamiliesofkilled,disappearedanddisplaced.Throughouttheprogram,a
safe,respectfulanddignifiedplatformwasensuredtosharetheirexperiencesandbepart
ofhealingprocesswithmutualempathyandcompassion towardsboth sidesof conflict.
The participants received training on root causes and impact of armed conflict; vicious
revengecycleandmeansofreconciliation;andtransitionaljustice.Differenttoolslikerole
plays, group discussions, video documentary, sharing sessions and gameswere used to
ensureeffectiveparticipation.Thisparticipatoryapproachprovedtobethemosteffective
and livelytoolfor internalizingthecontents. Inthe last3days,theywereprovidedwith
training
on
various
forms
of
artwork
and
literature
to
express
their
experiences
of
armed
conflictandvoicesforpeace,reconciliationandjustice.Childrensperspectiveonconflict
andpeacebuildingwerebroughtintheformofartworkasdrawing,poem,song,personal
storyetc.
ProjectActivities
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10
2.AnexhibitionofartworkofCACcreatedintheWorkshopsOurVoicesandExperiences2010..
OurVoicesandExperiences,theexhibitionofartwork,songs,poemsandstoriesofCAC
createdduring
the
workshop
were
exhibited
for
two
days.
The
aim
of
the
exhibition
was
tosensitizestakeholdersandcommunitypeopletotheproblemsthatchildrenarefacing
due to thearmedconflictaswellas to take forward theirvoicesandaspirations for the
peaceandreconciliationtothelargeraudience.Theartworkpreparedbytheparticipants
in thedistrictandothersdistrictswereexhibited inplaceswhere localpeoplehaveeasy
access. This activity is also a follow up of OurVoices and Experiences 2008 and 2009
exhibition by CAC to sensitize and reemphasize the childrens realities and experiences
fromthe10differentdistricts.
Art became a powerful and center of attraction to raise the awareness among the
stakeholdersand
larger
community
including
both
literate
and
illiterate.
Furthermore,
artworksarticulatedvoicesandexperiencesofCACanditprovedtobeeffectiveapproach
tomakepeopleinternalizethecurrentsituationofCAC.Itundoubtedlyhelpedtocreatean
empatheticenvironmentaswellasreducetheirmarginalizationinthecommunity.Atthe
same time, comparative experiences and perspectives from other districts have been
sharedthroughthevarietyofartworkfromtheotherdistricts.
Stakeholders from government offices,journalists, schools, colleges, police offices, and
armyofficeswereinvitedintheexhibition.Manysharedthatthecommunityreconciliation
initiativethroughartworkapproachwaseffectiveandverynewinthedistrict.
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11
3.PublicDialoguebetweenstakeholdersandCACFacilitatingaccesstojustice,increasingredressofpastviolations
District
level
dialogue
program
was
conducted
to
share
voices
and
experiences
of
conflict
affectedchildrenwiththeconcernedGovernmentstakeholders.ItwasaplatformforCAC
tohaveadirectdialoguewithconcernedstakeholdersandsharetheirtestimonies.Ineach
ofthefourdistricts,50CACparticipatedinthedialogueprogramincluding30participants
ofreconciliationworkshops.Onedayorientationwasgiventothemontheissuesrelating
to armed conflict and its impact on their lives aswell as systematicway to raise their
concerns, issues and queries with relevant stakeholders. District level Government
stakeholderspresentonthePublicDialoguewereChiefDistrictOfficer,DistrictEducation
Officer, Local Development Officer, and representative from UCPNMaoist and District
ChildWelfare Board.Major CAC issues have been shared during the program and the
issues addressed after the program were: case registration, relief and compensation,
scholarshipsand
medical
support.
Furthermore,thesePublicDialogueswereprovedtobeafirsttimeexperienceformanyof
thedistrictstakeholderstorealizepresentstatusoftheCACthroughthedirectdialogue
with them. Moreover, it helped to make political parties more accountable. Many
participating children were able to touch the hearts of the stakeholders. Child
empowerment,compensation,accountabilityandchildparticipationintransitionaljustice
wereseenasmajoroutcomes.
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12
4.MuralPaintingProgramon ParisPrincipleonChildrenandArmedConflict
InTerai regions,newlyemerging armed groups areusing and recruitingCAC andother
childrenfortheiractivities.Therefore,there isneedforpreventivework intargetedarea
toprevent recruitmentof children in those groups.Oneof the important tools for this
work isawareness risingofParisPrinciplesonChildrenandArmedConflict.Thus,Mural
Painting program on Paris Principle on Children and Armed Conflictwas carried out in
Shree Janajyoti Higher Secondary School of Chandranigahapur, Rautahat. Nineteen
participantsincludingschoolstudentsandteachershaveparticipatedintheprogram.Two
daysorientationwasconductedonParisPrinciplewhichhelped them todevelopbetter
understanding. After orientation, Six different group were formed who developed
drawings and slogansbasedon the Principle. Theyjointlymade sevenbeautifulmurals
illustrating concepts of the Paris Principle on Children and Armed Conflict. They
continuouslypainted
for
3days.
The
Artist
just
assisted
them
on
color
combination
and
properuseof color. Ineachgroup, someof theparticipantsweregood indrawingand
some were good in writing slogans. The teamwork was very effective resulting into
beautifulmurals.During the program, therewas overwhelming number of visitors and
many shared that the painting is very effective and powerful to raise awareness on
unlawfuluseofchildreninarmedconflict.
Alltheschoolswallsandpublicplacesshouldbepaintedwithsucheducativemurals;it
isimportanttotakethisinitiationforwardasacampaign.AvisitorAt the end, a commitment paper has been jointly signed by the representative from
Students
Union,
teachers,
students
and
representative
of
HimRights
district
office
to
protecttheseMurals.
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5.TVSerialagainstSexualViolence
Televisionisoneeffectivewaytotakethemessageforwardatlargerlevel,sincemostpeople
dolike
to
watch
TV
serials.
Four
episodes
TV
serial,
ASMITA,
was
produced
and
aired
on
Nepal Television to take themessage forward, to create awareness and sensitize on the
issues of sexual violence. TheASMITA carries themeaning of social dignity/prestige. Few
renowned actor/actress, school students and socially conscious people were the main
charactersoftheserialwhichbecameeffectivetodelivermessages.Firsttwoepisodesofthe
serialdealtwithsexualabuseandharassment inschools likeeveteasing,sexualabusesby
teachers,andsendingnudephotosthroughMultimediaMessages(MMS).Thirdandfourth
episodeswereonRape.Thecontentsoftheserialweregatheredfromexperienceofyoung
girlparticipantsofSecondNationalGirlChildConsultation2010. Ithighlightedthe issuesof
sexualviolenceexperiencedbygirls,aswellas its impactsand implications in their future
development.Furthermore,
the
legal
provision,
message
to
socially
boycott
the
perpetrator
as well as the importance of positive support role of individual, community and law
enforcementtoensuretherightofthevictimwerewellpresentedintheserialtotakethese
messagesforwardatlargeraudience.
Ihopethisserialwillcreatemassivelevelawarenessonthesexualviolencesowouldlike
to suggest HimRights to extend more episodes on other different context of Sexual
Violence. DeputyChiefDistrictOfficerMakwanpurduringpretestofTVserial
ThisserialairedeveryFriday9:30 to10:00pm from9th
Septemberonwards;allFridaysof
September2011
(September
9,
16,
23
and
30,
2011).
This
time
was
selected
with
the
objectivetothatthewholefamilymemberscouldsittogetherandwatchtheserials.
ThisserialisfarbetterthanIndianTVserials.Itisveryinformativeandeducativeandthis
kindofserialshouldbepromoted.Aguardian
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1. Lack of sustainable livelihood support for exchild soldier/CAAFAG: In theprogram,many of the participants were CAAFAG. They involved with conflicting parties at
differenttimesoftheconflictandworkedaschildsoldier,porter,spy,sentry,member
of medical team and cultural troupe. The government does not have any clear
provisions for reliefpackagesandcompensation toCAAFAGdue tosupposedneed to
keeptheiridentitiesconfidential.CAAFAGsareseekingsustainableeducationalsupport
and skills development training from the government. Currently, some of them are
beingsupportedbyNGOsandCBOswithsubstantiveeducationandtrainingpackages.
But,manyof them feel insecurewith this temporary supportpackages and they are
demanding for sustainable support from the Government. It is very important to
provide themwith livelihood support to empower to be able to get back to life. A
CAAFAG saidduring thePublicDialogueprogram, How long will NGOs support us? We
wantsustainablesupportfromtheGovernment.HeemphasizedthatGovernmentshould
bemore accountable to address issues of CAAFAG. District Education Officer (DEO)
responded,We
have
some
set
of
fund
for
the
education
support
but
it
is
remaining
unspent
becausenooneofCAAFAGsapproachesouroffice.
2. Childrenastheheadsofhousehold:Manychildren losttheirparents;theyareforcedtotakecareoftheirhouseholdwork
whichusedtobedealtbytheirparents.Theyhavetotakecareofalltheneedsoftheir
youngersiblingsandtheirgrandparentsatthesametime.Thishasledtohighdropout
fromschoolsthoughtheywereverygoodintheirstudies.
After my SLC I could not continue my higher education as I had to take care of my
grandparents and my younger brother; I could not leave them in helpless state. A
participantofworkshopshared
Likewise,many
of
the
participants
said
that
they
have
to
prioritize
their
household
work
forfamilyincomeratherthantheirstudy. AboyinKanchanpur,saidthathehasplough
hisfarmafterhelosthisfatherduringthearmedconflict.Furthermore,heshowedhis
youngpalmwithblistersduetooverworkinhisfarm.Childrenwithnofamilysupport
are highly vulnerable to trafficking, involve in worst form of child labor and sexual
exploitationaswellasinfluencethemtobeinvolvedincriminalactivities.
3. Problemsofdisappearancesremainedunheard:LargenumbersofcasesofdisappearanceswerefoundinBardiyaandKanchanpurinthe
comparison tootherdistricts.Mostof themwere forcefullydisappearedby theState
Security Forces.Manyof themhavenot received reliefpackagesdue to thepending
issueof
disappearances.
The district stakeholders were reluctant to make commitments on issues of
disappearances. The District Education Officer in Bardiya said; We have some
difficultiestomakeconcretedecisionoverthedisappearancecases,however,wewill
providescholarshipstothechildrenfromfamiliesofdisappeared.Theprocesswould
bebasedonprovisionsmadeontheDirectives.
Findings
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15
Thequestionofresolvingdisappearancecaseshasremainedoneofthemostpending
issues in the peace process. Participants from families of disappeared demanded to
know truth behindwhereabouts of their loved ones rather than relief packages and
compensation.
Itisnotthematterofreliefandcompensation;wewanttoknowthetruthbehindthe
disappearanceof
our
members.
4. CAAFAGgirlfacingdifficultiesinfamilialandcommunityreintegrationbecauseofthesocialstigma:
The CAAFAG especially girls are facing more difficulties in the process of social
reintegration because of social stigma associated with them. They are not easily
accepted intheir familiesandcommunitiesmostofthetimes.Thecommunitypeople
havedevelopednegativedispositionabout theirstaywithmalecombatants that they
were sexually abused. A girl from Kanchanpur shared, After the verification, I waslabelled as disqualified. When I got back home, myfather blamed me and he scolded me
sayingthatIhavejoinedPLAasofmyinterestsothatIshouldnotcomebacktohome.She
added,Now,
Iam
living
with
my
aunt
in
Dhangadhi
instead
my
natal
family.
Thus, families being unsupportive and nonempathetic towards CAAFAG girls are
identifiedasamajorproblem inreintegrationprocess.Thus,specialmeasuresneedto
addresstheirproblems.
5. Justiceisdeniedforvictimsofsexualviolence:Manychildrenwerephysicallyandsexuallyabusedbybothconflictingpartiesduringthe
armedconflict.These issuesnevercametosurfacedueto fearof losingsocialdignity
and respect. They are still sufferingwith bitter experiences. A participant,whowas
sexuallyabused,wantedtoshareherexperiencesbutshecouldnot.Sheburstintotears
allthetimewhensherecalledherbitterexperiences.TheStatepolicydoesnothaveany
specificprovisions
to
ensure
justice
for
them.
Hundreds
of
such
cases
are
remained
unreported.Basedonour lobbying,wesharedthis issueofsexualviolence inUNCSW
session but theNepal Government representatives admitted that there are no such
casesofsexualviolenceduringarmedconflict.
6. Medicalsupporttovictimsofinjury:Manyvictimswhohaveundergonethroughmedicaltreatment inprivatehospitalsand
hospitalsabroad(especiallyIndia),havenotreceivedanyformofmedicalsupport.The
StatePolicydoesnotgrantthemwithmedicalexpenses. InKanchanpur,aminevictim
shared,IgotmedicaltreatmentinIndiabecauseofeasyaccessandsecurityreasonsofthen
conflict.IknowIamaconflictvictim,buttheGovernmentdoesnotrecognizemeasaconflict
victim.Ihave
not
received
reimbursement
for
medical
expenses.
Most
of
the
people
near
borderareashadgonetoIndianhospitalsformedicaltreatmentatthattime.
7. Cumbersomeprocess:Peoplefromruralareafind itverydifficultiestogothroughallthe lengthyprocessfor
reliefpackages.Manyofthemhavetocometodistrictheadquartersbearingexpensive
costs in travel, food and accommodation for application procedure. Some of the
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16
participants fromremoteareasaidtheyhadtowalkformorethantwodaystoreach
districtheadquarters.AboyfromPhaparbariVDCofMakwanpursaid,
I do come to district offices following the commitments made by the officials,
expectingthatIwillreceivereliefpackagesontime;butittookalongtimetogetthe
reliefpackage.
Manychildren
from
remote
areas
suggested
that
the
applications
should
be
processed
fromVDCoffices.
8. Needoffamilialsupport:Childrenfrommarginalizedcommunitiesandethnicgroupsaresufferingmuch.Theyare
findingmanydifficulties toovercome traumaandpaindue to the lackof substantial
careandfamilysupport.Childrenwithnofamilysupportarestilllivingwithtraumaand
impactofconflict.
9. PsychosocialProblem:Largenumbersof children are still suffering frompsychosocialproblems.Theyare in
direneed
of
psychosocial
support.
Many
of
the
children
who
witnessed
dreadful
events
ofkilling,maiming,andtorturehavenightmareofthoseincidents.Aboywhohaveseen
dreadful incident of Gaurmassacre finds very difficult to share his experience and
showedveryabnormalexpressionwhilehewasrecallingthosedreadfulincident.
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1. SharedreconciliationplatformforchildrenReconciliationworkshopswereable tobringvictims frombothconflictingparties ina
commonreconciliationplatform. Throughtheprocessofsharingexperiences,learning
about
root
causes
of
conflict,
structural
violence,
revenge
cycle,
reconciliation
and
getting opportunities to express their voices and concerns for peace andjustice,we
witnessed angry and forlorn participants transcended the need to take revenge and
transform into glowing, laughing, sharing their stories, and becoming friends and
empatheticwithvictimsfromopposingsides.
2. ArtasCathartic:The reconciliation workshop with these children was conducted through artwork
approach.Theyexpressedtheirexperience,sufferingsandperspectives inthe formof
drawing,poem,andpersonalstories.Everysessionoftheartbecameverycatharticand
helpedmanyof them release theirsufferings thathadbeensuppressed for long time
withinthem.
The
major
outcomes
were
trauma
healing,
development
of
positive
self
image and confidence, leadership building and empathetic to victims from opposing
sidesregardlessofconflictingparty.
3. DignityandRespecttoothers:Participants were from diverse communities including Madhesi, Dalit Brahmin and
indigenousJanajati.Despitehugedifferences,thissharedplatformwhichprovedtobea
dynamictocreatesocialharmony,processsenseofvictimhoodandempathy.Children
became empathetic to eachother, prioritized their problems and encouraged each
othertoraisetheirissuesduringpublicdialogueandreconciliationworkshops.
4. Understandingonrootcausesofconflict,viciousrevengecycle:Theworkshopsanditseverysessionbecameaproductivelearningplatformforconflict
affectedchildren.Manyofthemwereabletounderstandtherootcausesofconflictand
internalizeadverse impactofviciousrevengecycle.Theyrealizedthatrevenge isnota
solutionitperpetuatesavengeandkilling.AcombatantgirlfromIlamshared:
I have not been able to understand conflict although I have worked long time asa
child soldier. This workshop really helped me to understand the conflict and its root
causes.ThatswhatIrealizedattheendofthisprogram.
5. ReactivationofLocalPeaceCommittee:During all project activities,weworked closelywith Local Peace Committee (LPC) to
identifyCAC,facilitatedaccesstolegalandsocialjusticeforthevictimsandfosterpeace
buildingfromlocallevel.Insomedistricts,inactiveLPCswereactivatedascommittedin
thePublicDialogue.Thisinstitutionisverycrucialfortheconflictaffectedpeopleasall
theprocessinghastobedonethroughthis local institution. InBankeandMakwanpur
HimRightsisservingasanactivememberofLPC.
Achievements
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6. StrengthenedcollaborationwithGovernmentoffices:Government stakeholders realized the effectiveness of the program. In some of the
districts,governmentofficerssharedavailabilityofreliefpackagestoconflictvictimsand
requestedHimRightstodisseminatetheirinformation.InMakwanpurDEOsentaletter
to HimRights branch office to circulate information on availability of scholarships to
conflictaffected
children.
7. BridgingRelationship:ThedirectdialoguebetweenCACandgovernmentstakeholdershelpedthemincreating
linkages with government stakeholders. It made them feel easy to approach
government authorities. As a result many children started to approach district
authorities from very next day of the program and ask authorities about their
commitmentforthem.
8. Facilitatingreparationprocess:PastexperiencesofHimRightsprovedtobeacredentialinfacilitatingconflictvictimsin
reparationprocess.After thepublicdialogue,HimRights issuedseveral referral letters
on behalf of conflict affected children for the evidence in district offices. HimRights
lifelinehasagoodworkingexperienceduringthearmedconflictandthereferralletter
helpedmanytoapproachreparationprocess.
9. Collaborating locally:HimRightsworkedcloselywith local levelorganisationsworkingwith conflictvictims,human rightsorganizations and conflict victim groups. Ithelped
bridging conflict victims with district stakeholder. It also strengthened collaborative
capacityof the localorganisations toaddress the issuesofarmedconflictandensure
sustainablepeacebuildingfromlocallevel.
10.Informedabouttheirrights:Mostoftheparticipantswereunawareabouttheirrightsand government provisions. In both workshops and public dialogue program we
conducted every session with due emphasis to inform them about the state legal
provisionsothattheycouldsharetheirtestimoniesbasedonthosepolicy.Formanyit
wasforthefirsttimetheyinformedwiththeirrights.
11.Artworksrecognizednationallyandinternationally:Theartworkscreatedbychildrenwerewidelyused innationaland international level
foradvocacyaswellastoportraychildrensvoicesandexperiencesatlargerlevel.This
gavemeaning to what happened in last decade and stakeholders to see war from
childrens lens and address their issues. Some of the artworks were displayed by
Watchlist and also shared by GermanMission inNew York July 2011 in the SecurityCouncils Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, and the subsequent vote for a new
thematic resolution. Similarly, fewpoems
and
personal
stories
are
translated
in
English
andinprocesstobedisplayedinPeaceMuseum,PatanDhoka.
12.Muralpaintingprogrambecameexhilaratingexperience.Mural painting program proved to be an effective awareness raising tool to prevent
childrenrecruitingfromarmedconflict.Thevividgraphicpaintinginthewallofschoolis
able to catch the attention of community people at large level. Furthermore, the
pictureswithslogansiseasytounderstandthemeaningofpaintingforbothliterateand
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19
illiterate. Likewise, theparticipatingchildrenand teacherexpressed that theygotan
opportunitytoworktogetherforthefirsttime.
13.RequestformotherschoolsforMuralpaintingAftermuralpainting in Jana Jyoti School, some other schools from the same district
requested HimRights to conduct mural painting programs in their schools. School
Principaland
teachers
came
to
HimRights
branch
office
and
request
for
Mural
painting
programintheirschool.
14.TVSerialTheTVserialbecameeffective inpresentingsuchasensitive issuetoawidernational
audience. It increased awareness and sensitized large numbers of people including
government stakeholders and policymakers. Lawyers and government stakeholders
appreciatedthiseffortandsuggestedtoextendthisserialincorporatingotheraspectsof
sexualabuse,harassmentandviolence.
1. Duringtheworkshop,fewparticipantshadhardtimetosharetheirexperiences.
2. Somekeystakeholdershaddifficultiestomanagetimeforthepublicdialoguedueto
theirbusyschedule.
3. Frequenttransferofstakeholdersisanotherchallengetoimplementthecommitments
madebytheirpredecessorsduringthepublicdialogue.
4. DurationofMuralpaintingprogramshouldbefewdayslonger.Becauseoftime
constraint,participantsandtheorganizershadtoworkcontinuouslyinaveryshort
time.
Challenges
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1. Thestakeholdersmadeseveralcommitments inPublicDialogue. Insomedistricts,the
district stakeholders are transferred to other districts. Newly appionted, district
stakeholdersshould internalizethese issuesas institutionalresponsibilityandworkon
addressingthem
as
soon
as
possible.
2. TheGovernmentshouldconductReconciliationProgramsthroughprintandelectronic
media to take reconciliation and peace building forward at a massive level in the
communities.
3. Peace building and reconciliation programs should focused on youths as theywere
directvictimsof thenconflict.They shouldbeprovidedwitheducational supportand
otherlivelihoodsupports.
4. TheGovernmentprovisiongrantsscholarshipstothechildrenwhoarebelow18years
old. But there aremany children,who dropped out their studies due to the armed
conflict, have crossed the Government limit of scholarships. Hence, they are still
deprivedof
education.
Similarly,
the
Policy
grants
scholarships
to
only
3children
of
a
conflictaffected family. Itdoesnot seem tobe fair for thosewhohavemore than3
schoolgoingchildren.
5. Peer groups and community child clubs should bemobilized to promote community
reconciliationprocess.
6. Muralpaintingonpeaceandreconciliationshouldbeexpandinotherschoolsandpublicplaces to massively disseminate messages as well as create social cohesion at
communitylevel.
7. In some of the Hill districts, many conflict victims are still to be incorporated in
Government relief process due to geographical difficulty and lack of information
dissemination.Hence,
the
process
for
relief
and
compensation
should
be
decentralized
todistrictandVDClevel.
8. There should be child friendly hearingmechanisms to encourage and voice the past
suppressedviolationsandsharetestimonies.
9. Closeandconfidentialplatformshouldbeestablishedtovoicethegravehumanrights
violationslikesexualviolenceduringandpostarmedconflict.
Recommendation
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Childrenundoubtedlysufferedthemostduringthedecadelongarmedconflictandtheyarestill
sufferingfrompostconflictconsequences.Theimpactofprolongedarmedconflictisdeeplyin
themindandlifeofthesechildren.Theyhadtospendeverymomentinfear,threatandmental
torture,abduction,
and
sexual
violence
during
conflict.
Furthermore,
we
found
children
from
marginalized and sociallyexcluded are less familiar with justice process. They hesitate to
approach stakeholders and voice their issues by themselves. Therefore, it is felt that the
supporthastogothemnotthewayaround.
WebelievethatbothworkshopandthePublicdialoguehavepositiveimpactonparticipantsfor
theirempowerment,reconciliation,reparation,andtraumahealing.Theprogramprovedtobe
asafe,respectful,anddignifiedplatformforraisingarmedconflictrelatedissuesanditsimpact.
However,therearestill largenumbersofyouthswhowere thedirectvictimof thenconflict.
Thus, itiscrucialtobringtheminreconciliationprocessandmobilizethemasachangeagent
forsocial
harmony
from
community
level.
After theprogram,manyparticipantshave initiated applicationprocess for scholarships and
reliefandsomehavereceivedfromtheDistrict.Thisprogramissuccessfulinfacilitatingthem
andempowering them toaccessjustice.Hence, suchprogramsnowwithyouthsneed tobe
facilitatingatlargerscaletobuildharmonyandcohesion.
Conclusion
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ProgramDistricts:
Farwestern Midwestern Central Eastern
Kanchanpur Bardiya Makwanpur,
Rautahat(MuralPaintingProgram)
Ilam
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MakwanpurMakwanpur is surrounded by 10 different districts
includingKathmandu,Lalitpurandotherdistrictsfrom
HillsandTerai.Itcarriesdifficultmountainousterrain.
So,it
was
asafe
haven
for
Maoists
to
carry
out
their
activities. Numerous incidents of killing, cross fire,
abduction, tortureandviolationofhuman rights tookplace indifferentplacesatdifferent times.The
majorincidentsinPadampokhari,Hatiya,andJhurjhureofPhaparbaritooklivesofmanyMaoistcadres,
securitypersonnelandcivilians.
InMakwanpur,many childrenhave lost their lives,becamedisabled,and lost their lovedones in the
familyduringthearmedconflict.But, there isnoprecisedataonchildrenaffectedbyconflictneither
withGovernmentnorNGOs.Despitetheendofarmedconflictinthecountry,childrenarestillaffected
indifferentways.Someareorphaned;somearestill livingwithwoundscars;somewithpsychosocial
problems;and
still
others
facing
economic
problems
due
to
loss
of
breadwinner
of
the
family.
The
existenceofexplosivesandlandminesarestilltakinglivesofinnocentchildren.Manyofthemarestill
livingwithshrapneland/orasdisabled.Children fromRaigaon,Phaparbari,Betini,Hatiya,Harnamadi,
ChatiwanandShikharpurarefoundtobemostaffected.Hereissomeinformationonimpactofconflict
onchildren:
9childrenlosttheirlivesand7gotinjured(killedinKulekhaniVDC,whileinnocentlyplayingwith
abandonedexplosivesastoysandduringcrossfirings)
Around250childrenaredirectlyaffectedbythearmedconflict
ProgramDetail:
WorkshoponSocialCohesionandPeaceBuilding:
Therewere 33 conflict affected children from 18 different VDCs of the district. Formajority of the
participants, they were participating in this kind of program for the first time. The program was
completelyanewexperienceforthem.Itprovidedthemwithanopportunitytomeetmanyfriendswho
werealsogoingthroughsimilarkindofsufferingbutwithdifferent lifestories.Participantswerefrom
the familiesofkilling, injured;displaced,disappeared,andmajorityof themwereCAAFAGchildren. It
was thebestplatform forthem toprocess feelingofvictimhood.Hereare thedetailsofsomeof the
participants:
A15yearsoldboyfromDhiyalVDC,whoiscurrentlystudyingin8thgrade,wasforcefullytaken
byMaoists for theirprogram in2063BSat theageof11. Laterhewas forced to carry their
goodsandexplosivesfromDhiyaltoSingaulofBara.
An18yearsgirlfromBasamadiVDCvoluntarilyjoinedtheculturalgroupofMaoistsattheageof
14.Shestayedthereforfewmonths.Shethoughtshecouldexplorehersingingtalentbutshe
couldnot.Laterherparentstookherbackhome.
A16yearsoldgirlfromGoganeVDCislookingafterheroldagedgrandparents.Herfatherwas
killedbyMaoistsaccusinghimofspying.
ReconciliationWorkshop:20thto24thJuly,2010PublicDialogue:25thand26thJuly,2010
Exhibition:27thand28thJuly,2010
DistrictwiseProgram
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24
FouroftheparticipantswereminevictimsfromPhaparbariVDC.Likewise,someparticipantslosttheir
parentsduring thearmedconflict.Thechildren,whowereaffected from theconflict,arenow facing
severalpsychosocialproblems.Somewitnessedtheirlovedonesbeingkilled infrontoftheirowneyes
whereasothersweretortured.OneoftheparticipantswitnessedthedreadfulGaurincidentofRautahat
(March2007).Hewitnessedallkindsofhumancrueltyduringthat incident.Heneverthoughtthathe
wouldcome
back
alive
from
there.
The
suffering
caused
by
the
armed
conflict
was
still
visible
in
many
of
theparticipants. TheboywitnessedtheGaurincident,wasstillseverelytraumatizedbytheincident.He
found itverydifficult to sharehisexperiences. Itwas clear thathewasalso looking foranoutlet to
releasehisfeelingsandtheprogramwasabletoprovidehimthatplatform.Hestillhadfeelingoftaking
revengetotheperpetrators.Attheendoftheprogramheexpressedthatrevenge isnotthesolution
butcompassionis.
The participants voluntarily shared different incidents which they had experienced during armed
conflict.Thesharingsessionenhancedthefeelingofvictimhoodamongsttheparticipantswhohadgone
throughsimilarkindof incidents. Italsocreatedsomekindofdivisionbetweenparticipantswhowere
victimizedby
the
Maoists
and
the
Government
Security
Forces.
A
participant
shared
that
the
sharing
of
thoseincidentsmustbeinpersonnotingroup.However,someoftheparticipantsadmittedthatsharing
sessionsonlyunfoldedtheirpastevent.Someparticipantssucceededtodisseminatepositivemessage
offorgivenessandreconciliationamongtheparticipants.
Aparticipantshared,MyfatherwasactivememberofMaoistParty.Hehadspentalmostsixandhalfyearsin
prisonforpoliticalreasons.Myfatherwassaidtobebrutallykilledin2060BS.Wenevergothisbody.Iwasso
upsetthen.Iwantedtoeatthefleshofthatpersonwhokilledmyfather.OnedayIwenttohouseoftheperson
who killed myfather with apurpose to take the revenge. I was ready to kill him or be killed by him at that
moment.ButwhenIsawfourofhissmallchildren,myeyesfilledwithtears.IthoughtifIkillhim,thechildren
wouldbeorphanedandtheywouldbeinfarmoretroublethanIhadbeenthrough.Iknowthepainoflosinga
father.After
that,
Icompletely
gave
up
the
feelings
of
revenge.
If
the
perpetrator
apologizes
in
public,
I
am
ready toforgivehim. I realizedthatrevenge isnotthesolution,butforgiveness is. Icantgetmyfatherback
withrevenge.
Participants were much concerned about the causes of conflict and its positive and negative
consequences intheirsocietyandthecountry.Onthefirstday,theyexpectedto learnnew issueson
conflictandpeacebuildingprocess;thegovernmentefforts inpeacebuildingprocessandthechanges
broughtaboutbythoseefforts.Mostimportantly,theyexpectedtolearnaboutGovernmentprovisions
onreliefandcompensation,conflictmanagement,andappropriatepunishmenttotheperpetrators.
SomeoftheCAAFAGchildrenwerefacingpsychosocialproblemslikedifficultyinconcentration,feeling
fearand loneliness,anxiety,worryingand insomnia.Themain reasonbehindtheseproblemswasthe
dreadful incidentstheyhadwitnessedduringtheconflict.AparticipantfromGadhiVDC, survivorand
witnessofGaurMassacre (March,2007), showedveryunusualbehaviorswhile interviewing.Hewas
feelingveryanxiousanduneasy.Hewasholdinghishands tightandbitingkeyringswhilesharinghis
experiences.Hewitnessed all levels of human cruelty includingwomen being gang raped, cut their
organsandbodypartsslashedandburntalive.
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ThePublicDialogue:
Therewere45conflictaffectedchildrenfrom18differentVDCsofthedistrict.
ThestakeholdersofPublicDialoguewere:
1. Mr.DineshBhattarai,ChiefDistrictOfficer
2. Mr.BishnuPrasadAdhikari,DistrictEducationOfficer
3. Mr.RamKrishnaThapa,SocialDevelopmentOfficer,DistrictDevelopmentCommittee
4. Mr.IndraBahadurPariyar,DistrictSecretary,UCPN(M)
5. Mr.JhabindraGyawali,HumanRightsandChildRightsActivist
Majorityofparticipantsexpressedtheirdiscontentoverthescholarshipissues.Evenaftersomanyyears
ofendofarmedconflict,theyhavenotreceivedanysupportorscholarshipsfromtheDistrictEducation
Office.Someof theparticipantsdidnotknowaboutprovisionson scholarships tochildrenofconflict
victims. They were completely unaware of those provisions. A participant residing in Hetauda
Municipality said, I have not heard about theseprovisions of relief and compensationfor conflict victims
though
I
am
staying
here
in
the
city
area.
Then
how
couldpeople
in
remote
villages
know
about
these
provisions?Therefore,thereshouldbepropermechanismsfordisseminatinginformationineveryVDC
of the district. Many participants were upset to know that there is no provisions of relief and
compensationtothechildrenwhowereinvolvedwithMaoistpartyoranyotherarmedgroupsforsome
monthsorsomeyears.
AboyfromPhaparbari,whoisstilllivingwithshrapnelofbombs,askedChiefDistrictOfficeraboutthe
Governmentprovisionsonmedicalsupporttothechildrenwhowereinjuredduringarmedconflict.He
is still livingwith scabs ofwound. Participants also raised their concern over the reconstruction of
destructed school buildings in the villages. The Social Development Officer admitted that DDC has
releasedbudget
for
reconstruction
of
schools
in
different
VDCs.
He
added,
For
reconstruction
works,
the
respectiveschoolshavetosubmitapplicationinDDC.
AparticipantfromPhaparbarivisitedCDOOfficeontheverynextdaytosubmitapplicationformedical
expenses.Hewas injured inbombblast inhisporchwhile innocentlyplayingwithabandonedbomb.
HimRights also issued referral letter tohim. Someof theparticipants admitted that theywould visit
concernedstakeholdersverysoon.Thisistheimmediateoutputoftheprogramtotheparticipantsand
thechangeandempowermentithasbroughtabout.
It is primary responsibility of the State to provide education to conflict affected children. The
Representative fromMaoist Party admitted, Maoist Party is also concerned about education of conflict
affectedchildren.
We
have
been
planning
to
open
Martyr
Memorial
Boarding
Schools
in
different
places
where
children of Martyr and conflict victims could continue their education. We have started a school in Dolakha.
About 12 children of conflict victims from Makwanpur are studying in that school. On the other hand,
Governmenthas startedOpenSchools indifferentplaceswhereconflictaffectedchildrencanpursue
theireducationevenaftersomeyearsofgap.OpenSchoolsoffersfasttrackeducationtothechildren
whoweredroppedoutofschoolsduetoarmedconflict.
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26
At the end of the program, the panelist stakeholders signed on the Commitment Paper. They
internalized the magnitude of suffering of conflict affected children are facing. They were also
empathetic towards the problems raised by the participants and realized their accountability on
addressingtheissuesofCAC.Likewise,Paneliststakeholdersappreciatedthesystematicanddisciplined
wayofraisingchildrensissues.
TheExhibition:
The artworks, poems, songs, and memoirs created by
conflict affected children in five day workshop were
displayed in the program. The exhibition displayed 48
artworks created by children from the Makwanpur and
other districts. The exhibition was observed by
representatives of government and nongovernment
agencies, school children, district security personnel,
journalists, and local youths and enthusiasts. The visitors
foundthe
exhibition
very
new
in
its
kind
in
the
district.
They
appreciated childrens creation as they represent their
voicesand theiraspirations forpeaceand reconciliation in
thecountry.Someparticipantssaid that thechildren shouldbegiven further trainingsonpainting so
thattheycouldcreatefinerartworks.Theexhibitionisobservedbymorethan500enthusiasts.
Thesecreationsandartworksportraythepastincidentsthatchildrenhadgonethrough.Theseareveryhearttouching.Hopefullythisexhibitionwouldbehelpfulinestablishing
Peace
in
the
country.
AVisitor
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BardiyaBardiyaliesinBherizoneofMidwesternregion.The
majorityofthepeopleinthisdistrictarefromTharu
community.Duringarmedconflict,several incidents
tookplace indifferentpartsofthedistrict.Bhawara
Tappaof
Rajpur
VDC
was
most
badly
affected
during
the armed conflict. Major crossfire VDCs of
Chisapani, Ganeshpur, Mirchiya took lives of large number of Maoists, State security forces, and
civilians.According toDistrictAdministrationOffice, thenumberof fatalitiesduring armed conflict is
399,outofwhich47werewomen.Likewise,largenumbersofpeopleweretorturedbybothconflicting
parties,sowereinjuredanddisabled.
Bardiya is the district with highest number of
conflictrelateddisappearancecasesmainlybythe
State Security Forces and few by the Maoists.
Mostof
the
cases
were
related
to
enforced
disappearances.Theyweretakenawayfromtheir
home, their fields, and their neighborhoods
accusing themofbeing spyor supportive to the
opposing parties. Twenty six of the disappeared
werebelow18yearsofage.
In Bardiya, very few conflict victims have received relief and compensation as provisioned by the
Directives,2009.TheLocalPeaceCommitteeofthedistrict isnotactivelyworkingonraisingvoicesof
conflict affected children. There are several NGOs working on different issues of conflict victims
especiallyofdisappeared.
ProgramDetail:
WorkshoponSocialCohesionforPeaceBuilding:
Theprogramwas organized inGulariyaMunicipalityofBardiya. Therewere 35 participants from 14
different VDCs of the district. Two third of themwere female participants.Majority of themwere
participating inthiskindofprogramforthefirsttime.Theprogramwascollectively inauguratedbyall
theparticipants. Itprovided them time to interminglewitheachother from theverybeginning.They
foundtheinaugurationprocessverynewinitskind.Herearethedetailsofsomeoftheparticipants:
An18yearsoldgirlfromHasanapurofMotipurVDCwasassociatedwithMaoistpartyformore
than
3
years.
She
was
involved
in
the
crossfire
that
took
place
in
Dallapur
of
Mohamadpur
VDC
ofthedistrict.ShewaslatertransferredtoYCLforbeingunderaged.
AgirlfromPatabharVDCwasonly12yearsoldwhenshejoinedMaoistPartyasamemberof
their culturalgroup.She spentalmost5 years there.She cameback from therebecause she
wantedtostudyandidentifyherowndestiny.
CasesofDisappearancesintheBardiyaDistrict
Stateled
Maoist
led
Total
238 17 255
Source:AdvocacyForum,Bardiya
ReconciliationWorkshop:14thto18thAugust,2010PublicDialogue:19thto20thAugust,2010
Exhibition:21stand22ndAugust,2010
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A12yearsoldboywas seekingjusticeandcompensation fordisappearanceofhis father.His
fatherwas takenawayby theStateSecurityForces.His fatherwasdisappearedmore than7
yearsago.(Prem)
A14yearsoldgirl fromManpurTaparaVDCwasdeprivedofher fathers lovewhen shewas
only 5 years old.Her fatherwas taken away by State Security Forces accusinghim of being
Maoist.
Afterbeingpartoftheinauguration,theyfeltliketheywerealsosignificantmemberofthesociety.The
sessionswere fullyparticipatory.Differenttools likeroleplays,groupdiscussions,videodocumentary,
sharingsessionsandgameswereusedfortheireffectiveparticipation.Moreover,theroleplaysproved
to be themost effective and lively tool in internalizing the contents. Their participation level was
appreciative.
In five days workshop, the participants showed great
enthusiasm on each and every session and made very
productive
participation.
The
sessions
were
two
way
interaction rather than disseminating information from
theorganizersside.The issuesraisedbytheparticipants
weregivenhighpriorityforthediscussion.Since,mostof
theparticipantswere fromTharuCommunity, theywere
calm in the firstday.Tharus,bynature,donotopenup
easilyinthepublicforum.Butinfollowingdays,theywere
moreopenand theyactivelyparticipated insessionsand
groupactivities.
Majorityof them expressed that they gained confidence
andtheyarenowabletoputforwardtheirissuesinevery
forum.Thesessionsonarmedconflictandviolencewereconductedthroughroleplays.Theywerevery
effectiveininternalizingthemessagesofpeacebuildingandreconciliation.
ThechildrenwhowereassociatedwithMaoistPartyarestillfacingproblemsintheirsociety,especially
iftheyarefemale.TheyarediscriminatedortreateddifferentlyforbeingassociatedwithMaoistparty.
Sometimestheyhavefeelingofrevengeagainstthosewhomistreatthem.
Participantsenjoyedtheartworksessionsverymuch.Majorityofthemwereverynewtoartworks.They
havebeensufferedindifferentways.Theyfinditverydifficulttoexpresstheirpastexperiencesorally.
Hence,the
artwork
approach
proved
to
be
best
medium
to
articulate
their
feelings,
suffering
and
plights.In3daysofartworksession,theparticipantsmade50fineandoriginalartworks,poems,andlife
storiesrelatingtothepastexperiencesofarmedconflict.Thechildrenplayedwithcolorstogiveperfect
creations.Thesignificantmessagesoftheseartworkswerethatallconflictaffectedchildrenwantpeace
inthecountry.Likewise,someofthechildrenportrayedtheexactincidentsthattheyhadwitnessed.A
participantwhowasassociatedwithMaoistPartymadeapictureofcrossfire. Inapicture,aperson is
heldtiedintreesandbeatenbytwoarmedpersons.Theparticipantwhomadethatpicturesharedthat
Ihavelearnedlotofnewthings
about
armed
conflict
and
its
impact
on
childrenandthewholesociety.Now,I
amabletodisseminatethe
informationtoothersaswell.Iam
nowconfidentenoughtospeakand
putforthmyproblemsinanyforum
withoutanyhesitation.Theprogram
wasalsohelpfulindecreasingmy
grievance.
Aparticipant
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hehaswitnessedsamekindofincidentduringarmedconflict.Thisshowshowsuchkindofincidentshas
long lastingeffectonchildpsychology.ParticipantsalsocreatedpictureofBuddha,Dove,Swoyambhu
NathandflagofNepal,whichshowthattheywantpeaceandjusticeinthecountry.
Theparticipants learnedaboutpeacebuildingandsocialcohesion; rightsofconflictaffectedchildren;
effortsof
government
and
non
government
organizations
in
the
five
day
workshop.
ThePublicDialogue:
ThestakeholdersofPublicDialoguewere:
1. Mr.JayaPrasadAacharya,DistrictEducationOfficer
2. Mr.TilakSharma(Himal),DistrictIncharge,UCPNM
3. Mr.SantaBahadurDhakal,AdministrativeOfficer,DistrictAdministrationOffice
4. Mr.BhuwanAaryal,LocalDevelopmentOfficer
5. Mr.KashiRamDhungana,HumanRightsActivist
Twentyone
participants
raised
their
issues
directly
in
front
of
panelist
stakeholders.
Most
of
the
issues
wererelatedtoreliefpackagesandscholarshipstothechildreninarmedconflict,whereasotherswere
concernedaboutsocialandlegaljusticetothevictims.Thosewhosefamilymembersweredisappeared
admittedthatthestatemustrevealthewhereaboutsofdisappearedpeople.
Theparticipants raised issuesondistributionof sustainable relief to familiesof conflict victims.They
opinedthatvictims(ofdeathanddisappearancecases)getonetimereliefpackageofonelakhrupees;
that isnotsustainable in itself.Theyhave lost thebreadwinnersof the family.Therefore, sustainable
supportisveryimportantratherthaninstanteconomicreliefs.
Sita Sapkota of Kalika4 VDC askedMaoist Representative, Myfather wasforcefully abducted by the
Maoistsfrom
home.
Iwould
like
to
ask
Maoists
when
will
they
investigate
on
my
fathers
disappearance
and
revealfacts about him. I urge them to make himpublic as soon aspossible.The representativeofMaoist
couldnotanswerherquestionproperly.However,hesaid,Weare investigatingondisappearancecases
within the district. Whenever wefind out thefacts about yourfather, we will inform you. His statementcannot bring happiness in the faces of victims of disappearance. The Government should form
DisappearanceCommissiontocarryoutconcreteinvestigationondisappearedpersons.
ACAAFAGfromPatabharVDCwasforcefullytakenfromhomebyMaoistcadres;theyclaimedthatthey
wouldguaranteeherbrightfuture.ShewasinvolvedwithMaoistPartyforfourandhalfmonthswhere
sheworkedasamemberofculturaltroupeandasaporter.Sheaskedstakeholders,Ihaveworkedfor
Maoistparty
for
so
many
years.
Due
to
that,
Iwas
detached
from
my
regular
studies.
Who
is
responsible
for
all
this,theMaoistsortheState?SheadmittedthatneitherstatenorUCPN(M)isshowinganyconcernonthoseissues.RepresentativeofCPN(M)defendedthepartysayingthatthechildrenarenottheconflict
victimsbutparticipantsofconflict.Onthisveryissue,ChildRightsActivistopposedthestatementmade
by Representative ofMaoists. He said, The rights of children were visibly violated by the activities of
Maoists.Hence,Maoistsshouldberesponsibleforwhathadhappenedtochildren.Onthesametime,theState
shouldprovidethemwithnecessarysupportincludingreliefpackages.
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SomeoftheparticipantsweredisplacedfromhilldistrictsofSurkhet,Salyan,JumlaandDailekhafterthe
incident. So, they are getting difficulty in processing for relief and compensation from host district.
However,thegovernmentstakeholdersadmittedthattheywouldmakenecessaryarrangementinhome
districtstoaddresstheirissues.
TheExhibition:
The exhibition was organized for two days on 21st and 22nd of August, in District Development
CommitteeHall.Theartworks,poems, songs,and lifestoriescreatedby thechildrenduring fivedays
workshopweredisplayedintheexhibition.Itdisplayed50creationsofchildrenfromBardiyaandsome
othersfromtendifferentdistricts.
Throughthesecreations,thechildrenexpressedthattheyseekthejusticeforwhathadhappenedinthe
past.Theywishedpeaceandjusticewouldprevailand thegrievanceswhich theyexperienced in the
pastwouldnotrepeatagain.Oneofthelifestoriesbyaparticipantreads,Maoistsabductedmyfatheron
2060Falgun29.Laterwecametoknowthroughmediathathehadbeenkilled.Butwehavenotgothisbody
yet.Wewillnotdodeathritualsuntilwegetsomeconcreteproofof hisdeath.Weneedjustice;wewantto
knowaboutwhereaboutsofmyfather;andwewanttheperpetratorbepunished.Iknowtheagonyoflosingmy
father.
Theexhibitionwasobservedby representativesofgovernmentandnongovernmentagencies,school
children,districtsecuritypersonnel,journalists,andotherenthusiasts.Thevisitorsfoundtheexhibition
verynew in itskind inthedistrict.Astudentsaid,Thiskindofexhibitionshouldbetakentothedifferent
schoolsofthedistrict.Theexhibitionwasobservedbymorethan700people.
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KanchanpurKanchanpur, a district of Farwestern region has
faced adverse consequences of the decade long
armed conflict. Children were easy target of both
conflictingpartiesduringarmed conflict.Theywere
usedin
some
or
other
way
during
and
after
armed
conflict. Even after end of armed conflict, children
havebeen suffering in severalways.Childrenwerekilledand/or injured in landmineexplosionsand
theyareabductedbycriminalarmedgroupsforransom.
Around259childrenweredirectlyaffectedduringarmedconflict;theywereusedfortraffickingofarms
andweapons,spyingindifferentplaces,messengerandcollectdonation.Moreover,theywereusedas
human shield at different times. Using children for such purposesmight have fulfilled goals of the
conflictingpartiesor armed groups,but ithas long term impactonprotectionof children. They are
deprivedoftheirfundamentalrights.
ProgramDetails:
WorkshoponSocialCohesionandPeaceBuilding:
Therewere totalof30participants from18differentVDCsof thedistrict.Majorityoftheparticipants
werefromTharucommunityandwerebasicallyfromagriculturebackground.Thereisstilllackofaccess
tojustice formanyof themas theyarehesitantand fear to speakout for their rights.Hereare the
detailsofsomeoftheparticipants:
15yearsoldboy fromKalikaVDC:his fatherwasaMaoistcadreandkilledbySecurityForces
afterabduction.Hisfamilylosttheirbreadwinnerfollowedbystumblingfamilyeconomy.Heis
nowfacingpsychosocialproblems.
18yearsoldgirlfromKrishnapurVDCwasinvolvedwithMaoistpartyandtheiractivities.Dueto
her involvement inMaoistparty,she isnotwellaccepted inher family.She isnow livingwith
oneofheraunt.Sheseeksskilldevelopmentand/orjoborientedtrainings.
18 years old boy from Shankarpur VDC is still livingwith shrapnel in his left hand. Hewas
severelyinjuredinanexplosionsetupbyMaoistattheageof12.Hehasnotreceivedanykind
ofmedicationorothersupports.
Formostoftheparticipants, thiskindofprogramwasverynewandtheywereveryexcited fromthe
veryfirstdayoftheworkshop.Theywerevery inquisitivetoknowabouttherightsofconflictaffected
children.Aparticipantsaidinanexpectationcollection,Iwanttoknowmoreabouthowourproblemscan
beaddressedforsustainablesolution.
Some of the participants shared their experiences and the incidents they had gone through during
armedconflict.Aparticipantshared,MyfatherwaskilledbySecurityForces6yearsago.Now,myfamilys
economicconditionisveryweak.Mymotherhadtogothroughhardshipsallthetime.Heisabrilliantstudent
andhesoughtforeducationalsupport.Heisalsofacingpsychosocialproblems.Fourparticipantsshared
theirexperiencesintheSharingSession.Thesessionwasendedasmanyofothersburstintotearsafter
ReconciliationWorkshop:14thto19thSeptemberPublicDialogue:20thand21stSeptember
Exhibition:22ndand23rdSeptember
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listeningtotheircolleaguesexperienceswhichwereverysimilartotheirown.Thesessionalsoended
withpositivemessagethattheyarenotaloneinthisworldwhoaresufferingduetothearmedconflict.
ThePsychosocialCounselorcarriedout severalpsychosocialcounseling sessionsboth individuallyand
throughgrouprelaxations.Thesesessionshelpedthemtogetrelievedatleastforshortperiod.Majority
ofthe
participants
had
periodic
headache
and
they
faced
such
problem
during
and
after
the
armed
conflict. Someof themhadnegative thinking and feelingofhopelessnessand loneliness. Fewof the
participantsweregoing throughmoderatepsychosocialproblemsand theyneed furtherpsychosocial
support.However,theywereprovidedwithseveralcounselingduringtheprogram.
Theworkshopwasafirsttimeexperienceformajorityoftheparticipants.Theywerereluctanttoopen
up in the beginning, but they becamemore andmore comfortable with the entire process in the
followingdays.Theuseofroleplays,games,groupworkactivitiesandsoforthreallyhelpedinbringing
aboutaharmoniousatmosphere.Moreover,they internalizedtheworkshopcontents.Theparticipants
identified some essential prerequisite for reconciliation as rebuilding communal relations, providing
justice for victims, revealwhereabouts of disappeared people and establishing social harmony. The
participantsemphasizedtopunishperpetratorsregardlessoftheiraffiliation.
Theparticipantsalsopointedout their roles inpeacebuildingand reconciliationprocess.Theirmajor
concernwasonsocialjusticeatthecommunitylevel.Theyweredirectlyvictimizedduringtheconflict,
andthenrevictimizedsubsequentlybythesociety.Someofthemarestillfacingdiscrimination inthe
societyforbeingconflictvictim.
Theparticipants realized thatcollectivevoicesaremore likely tobeheard, rather thanone individual
voice.Thisfurther ledthemtounderstandthenecessityforaunifiedvoiceandactiontowardspeace.
Similarly,theystressedonneedfortheirownmeaningfulandstructuralparticipationintheconstitution
makingprocess.
Participants
expressed
their
experiences
and
sufferings
in
the
form
of
artwork,
stories,
andother literaryworks.Theyfound itasan idealwayofexpressingtheirfeelings.Theycreatedmore
than80artworks.
ThePublicDialogue:
Therewere 48 participants from 18 differentVDCs of the district. Theywere prepared to put their
issues/queries in front of the Stakeholders about relief and compensation to the victims of armed
conflictandabouttheirrighttosocialandlegaljustice.TheStakeholdersofthePublicDialoguewere:
1. Mr.BuddhiBahadurKhadka,ChiefDistrictOfficer
2. Mr.ShyamKumarAdhikari,LocalDevelopmentOfficer
3. Mr.PremNathPaudel,DistrictEducationOfficer
4. Mr.BhuwanrajChataut,ChildRightsActivist
5. Mr.BipinAdhikari,Representative,UCPN(M)
ManrajUpadhaya, thedistrict focalperson,presentedWorkingPaperonsituationofconflictaffected
children in thedistrict.Heemphasized that children shouldbeput far fromarmed conflict and their
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righttosurvivalshouldbeensured.HementionsinhisPaper,Allpoliticalpartieshavetoguaranteethat
theywillnotusechildrenforpoliticalpurpose.Childrensrightsshouldalwaysbegivenfirstpriority.
Majority of the participants raised their issues regarding educational support to them.A participant
from Dumrah VDC asked District Education Officer about provisions on scholarships to children of
conflict
victims.
His
father
was
killed
by
Security
Forces
and
his
family
has
received
Rs.
1
lakh
and
Rs.
25
thousands as relief package, but he has not received scholarships yet. District Education Officer
committedtoprovidehimscholarshipsnextyearifhesubmitscompletedapplicationandgetsapproved
fromthecenter.
The application procedures are very vague and the applications get pending for long time due to
incompleteorunclearsubmissionofapplications.ChiefDistrictOfficersaid,Mostoftheapplicationsdo
notmeetrequirementsasprovisionedontheDirectives2009,duetowhichwecannotrefertheapplicationto
theMinistry.Themostdifficultpart isprovidingevidencetothecasesofkilling,disappearanceandcaptureof
properties.Heacceptedthere is lacking inprovisiononprovidingrelieftothe injuredvictims.Hesaid,
TheDistrictCommitteecannotreferthecasesofinjuryformedicaltreatmentandexpensesifthetreatments
arecarried
out
in
private
hospitals
and/or
abroad.
Iagree,
there
are
some
drawbacks
in
the
provisions.
AparticipantfromDaijiVDCaskedCDO,Myfatherwasateacher.HewastakenbySecurityForcesstating
thattheyhavetodiscusswithhim.Theykilledmyfatherandoneofmyunclewithoutanyreason.So,Iwould
liketoaskwhethertheperpetratorswouldbepunishedornot. Idemandforstrongactionagainstthosewho
killedmyfatherandmyuncle.CDOreplied,NHRChasinitiatedprocessofinvestigationonkillingofcivilians
using excessiveforce. I will definitely assist in investigationprocess.ChildRightsActivistadded, There are
numerouscasesofkillingofciviliansandallcasesshouldbeinvestigated.
AparticipantfromLaxmipurVDCaskedabouthisconcernregardingsustainablesupporttothefamilies
ofconflictvictims.Hesaid,Governmentprovidesreliefof1lakhtothefamiliesofkilled.Thatamount
isnot
sufficient
for
their
sustainable
livelihoods.
CDO
admitted
that
he
would
raise
the
issue
at
central
levelastheyneedtobediscussedatpolicylevel.
Theissueofmedicalsupportandmedicalexpensestotheinjuredduringarmedconflictemergedasthe
highlyprioritizedagendaduringtheDialogue.Dueto lackofdocumentsandprovisionaldifficultiesfor
victimswhohadundergone treatment in Indiaand inprivatehospitalsduring theconflictperiod; the
legalstatepolicydoesntgrantthemrighttoreimbursementformedicalexpensesandfurthermedical
support.AparticipantfromShankarpurVDCwasinjuredinbombexplosion.Heisstilllivingshrapnelin
hisbody.Hehadnotreceivedanykindofmedicalsupport.CDOcommittedtoreferthecasetoMinistry
ofHealthifhesubmitscompleteapplicationwithreferralofconcerneddoctors.
They raiseddifferent issuesoncompensationand relief for the lossof their lovedones; scholarships;
medicalexpensesand furthermedical treatment;whereaboutsof thedisappearedandjusticeat the
large. The panelist stakeholders were very positive from their side. They made some concrete
commitmentsbutmostoftheissuesweredirectlylinkedtothepolicylevel;sotheycouldnotdomuch
onthoseissuesbecauseofproceduraldifficulties.Itwassimplyoutoftheirjurisdiction.Moreover,they
suggestedtheimmediateneedforarestructuringofsomeofthestatepoliciesregardingarmedconflict
anditsvictims.Theproceduresofthestatepolicieshavebeenimplementedtosomeextent.Butdueto
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inherentlackofproceduralclarityontheissuesofCAAFAGandthelackingofprovisionofscholarships
tothechildrenofconflictvictims,whoareaboveeighteenyearsofage,verylittlecancurrentlybedone
for them.Bothof theseconcernswere raised timeandagainby theparticipantsduring thedialogue.
TheDistrictEducationOfficercouldnotmakeconcretecommitmentsonthescholarship issuebecause
withoutachange in thecentralpolicymechanism, theofficealonecannotgoaheadandgrant these
participantswith
scholarships.
TheExhibition
Theexhibitionwasorganized inDistrictDevelopmentCommitteehall.Theexhibitionwasobservedby
morethan300personsincludingstudents,governmentstaff,representativesofdifferentorganizations
andjournalists.Theobserversfoundthatthiskindofprogramwasheldinthedistrictforthefirsttime
and theyappreciated thehardworkof thechildren increating theartworks.Largenumberofschool
studentsobserved the exhibition andwere keen toobserve each and every artwork.Manyof them
appreciatedwhentheycametoknowtheentireprocess.Theyadmittedthattheeventwoulddefinitely
behelpful inmakinggovernmentandpoliticalpartiesaccountable inaddressing the issuesofconflict
affectedchildren.
An
observer
expressed,
The
artworks
and
literary
works
are
so
realistic.
It
gives
perfect
meaningandfaceofsituationofchildreninarmedconflict.
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IlamIlam,adistrictofEasternDevelopmentRegion,faced
numerous cases of human rights violations during
thedecade longarmedconflict. Inthedistrict, large
numbers of peoplewere killed by both conflicting
parties,civilians
were
abducted,
tortured
accusing
themofbeingsupporterofopposingparty.
A totalof189persons lost their lives in Ilam.Majorclashes inMalateofMaipokhari took livesof17
security forces,6policepersonneland4MaoistPLAs.Likewise, therewereclashesbetweenSecurity
forcesandMaoists in IlamMunicipality,KyabungofMangalbare,Pashupatinagar,Danabari,Fuetappa
resultedintolossoflivesofseveralsecuritypersonnel,MaoistPLAandcivilians.
Duringarmedconflict,Maoistsabductedchildrenfromtheirschoolsandhomesandforcefullyengaged
them inarmedtrainingsandotherpurposes.ChildrenweretheeasytargetofMaoists.Similarly, large
numberofchildrenvoluntarilyjoinedtheMaoistPartyfollowingthewhim. Itresulted intodeprivation
fromeducation.Moreover,theyhadtoliveunderfearallthetime.Ithadnegativepsychologicalimpact
onthem.EvenafterComprehensivePeaceAccord,thechildrenwhoweredirectlyinvolvedwithMaoist
Partywereutilizedbynumberofunidentifiedarmedgroupsascadreoftheirarmedwing.PalloKirat,KiratJanabadiWorkersParty,LimbuwanRajyaParishadandSanghiyaLoktantrikRastriyaMancharestill using children as their cadre and/or volunteers. Large numbers of civilians were arrested or
abducted by State Security Forces,Maoists and other armed groups in the district. A total of 2359
personswerearrestedorabductedandtorturedbytheStateSecurityForcesand824byMaoists.On
theotherhand,85weretorturedbyanarmedgroupcalledKamrangGroup.
ProgramDetails:
Workshopon
Social
Cohesion
and
Peace
Building:
Therewere28participantsthatincluded13girlsand15boysfromdifferentVDCsandIlamMunicipality
of the district.Majority of them were Janajatis and others were from Dalit, Brahmin and Chhetri
community.Majorityoftheparticipantshavethecasesofarrestorabductionoftheirfamilymembers
by theSecurity Forcesand later theywere found tobe tortured indetention. Likewise, someof the
participantshadlosttheirfamilymembers.AparticipantwasvictimofIlamattack.Herfatherwaskilled
in crossfire in IlamMunicipality. Fewof the participantsweredirectly associatedwithMaoist Party.
Someof themhadworkedasPLA andothersasmemberof cultural troupe,medicalpersonnel,and
porter.Hereisbriefdescriptionofsomeoftheparticipants.
AparticipantfromPanchakanyaVDCwaskeptindetentionbytheStateSecurityForcesin2062
BS.She
spent
more
than
ayear
in
detention
in
different
places
including
Ilam,
Jhapa
and
Biratnagar.Shehadsubmittedapplicationsforreliefandcompensation,butthereisnohearing.
A20yearsoldparticipantfromChulachuliVDC,joinedMaoistParty in2062BS.Heworkedas
medicalpersonnel.After leaving theParty,he continuedhis studies.Hedoesnotexpect any
reliefandcompensationfromthegovernment,buthewantstheGovernmenttoberesponsible
towardstheissuesofconflictaffectedchildren.
ReconciliationWorkshop:18thto22ndNovemberPublicDialogue:23rdand24thNovember
Exhibition:25thand26thNovember
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36
Aparticipant fromRolpa iscurrentlystudying in thedistrict.HewasassociatedwithPeoples
Liberation Army while studying in 6th grade in Rolpa district. He was injured in crossfire
Thanawangofthesamedistrict.Later,hewasabletorunawayfromthedistricttosettleinIlam
district.
Majorityof
the
participants
were
participating
in
workshops
related
to
peace
and
reconciliation
for
the
first time.Hence, theywerepleased tobeapartof theworkshop.Theywereverymuch concerned
abouttheirrights.TheywerewillingtolearnaboutroleoftheStatefortheprotectionandupliftmentof
conflict affected children. They were much inquisitive to learn about the provisions on relief and
compensationstotheconflictvictimsfromtheveryfirstday.Theyexperiencedconflictfromverynear
and have been suffering till date. Therefore, they raised one voice as let the peace prevail in the
country.
Participants shared theirexperiencesofarmed conflictand its impacton theirdaily lives.Thosewho
have lost their familymembers had gone through very difficult times of poverty and helplessness.
Likewise,
majority
of
children
joined
Maoist
Party
because
of
their
influence
and/or
threat.
They
left
stu