Children killed, tortured in Nepal conflict: Amnesty

LONDON, Tuesday (AFP) - Thousands of children in Nepal are facing serious violence and abuse - including killings, illegal detention, torture and rape - in the kingdom's ongoing conflict, Amnesty International said Tuesday.

In a new report, entitled 'Nepal: Children caught in the conflict', the London-based human rights organisation said Nepalese youngsters were also being abducted and recruited for military activities.

"This conflict is a disaster for the children of Nepal," said Purna Sen, director of Amnesty Internationals Asia-Pacific Programme. "Nepals children are being caught up in the cycle of violence that is gripping the country.

"They are abducted and recruited by the Maoists and then become targets for the security forces, placing them at risk of detention or even killing.

"Some children have been directly targeted by one or other party to the conflict, while hundreds more have died from bombs and improvised explosive devices," Sen said. "Thousands of children have been forced to flee their homes and face desperate poverty and exploitation."

The organisation accuses Nepali security forces of killing children suspected of Maoist involvement, and Maoists of abducting and killing children of security forces personnel.

Amnesty said there had been "disturbing" reports of children suspected of affiliation with the Maoists being held for long periods in army barracks, police stations or prisons.

"Many child detainees report having been tortured by security forces during their detention," the organisation said.