SAARC member states striving for children’s uplift

Kathmandu, Dec. 26 (RSS): Lack of child rights and quality education for children in the South Asia region is leading to growing problems of child labour, malnutrition, girl trafficking and dreadful diseases like HIV/AIDS.

These kinds of problems have been growing in the region due to the lack of concrete steps and commitment to resolve these common problems of the countries of South Asia.

According to UNICEF data, 160,000 children in South Asia under fifteen years are affected by HIV/AIDS.

Out of 130 million children orphaned by HIV/AIDS worldwide, 125,000 are from South Asia.

The UNICEF statistics show that one out of every three young boys or girls aged between 15 to 24 in the world are infected by HIV/AIDS. The same statistics shows that a majority of the children between 15 to 19 years of age who live as street children, are orphans, or are working as child labour have been infected by the disease as a result of drug abuse and sexual exploitation.

So far 149 persons have died from HIV/AIDS in Nepal and 2,109 persons have been found to be infected by the disease till November. But the concerned health specialists estimate that the number of HIV/AIDS infected persons in the country is about 30,000 due to a number of reasons.

It may be recalled here that it was in 1984 that the first international non-governmental organisations’ child rights declaration was made.

Concern for child rights grew worldwide after the the United Nations General Assembly adopted the global child rights declaration in 1989. Nepal also showed its commitment to child rights by signing the child rights convention on September 14, 1990.

Although Nepal began to pay attention and give importance to child rights and welfare issues in the ensuing days while formulating its policies and plans, there have been no marked improvement in the status of the children in the country.

According to the Nepal labour force survey prepared by the International Labour Organisation, 1.7 million children out of the total 6,225,000 children between 5-14 years in Nepal are engaged in economic activities. Of them, 250,000 are estimated to be engaged in menial or hazardous work.

Similarly, the number of children suffering from malnutrition is also growing day by day in Nepal.

As per a nationwide survey on malnutrition conducted in 1975, 48.5 per cent of those surveyed were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition while 6.6 per cent were found to be suffering from immediate malnutrition. The multi-index survey carried out in 1997 showed 53 per cent children suffered from acute malnutrition and 16 per cent from immediate malnutrition.

The South Asian Human Development Report published in November 2000 has shown that the literacy rate of Nepali women was 21 per cent, the lowest in South Asia. Maldives has the highest women’s literacy rate in the region. Three out of every five women in South Asia are illiterate. Likewise, the data shows four in every five women in Nepal and three in every four women in Pakistan are illiterate.

The report, which was released in Nepal, states that 480 mothers died in every 100,000 live births.

Likewise, 208,000 women die every year in Southn Asia due to abortion and pregnancy-related problems.

Nepal and Bangladesh are the two countries in South Asia which are facing a growing girl trafficking problem.

Although Nepal has given serious attention in arresting the problem, the outcome has not been to the expected level.

The Fourth SAARC Summit held in Islamabad, Pakistan, had declared 1989 as the SAARC Year against Drug Abuse and Trafficking and the year 1990 as the SAARC Year of the Girl Child.

The joint voice being raised in South Asia against drug abuse and drug trafficking, although laudable in the present context when the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking is raising a lot of concern and anxiety the world over, is far from having made the felt impact in this direction.

The status of children, especially from the developing and under-developed countries of the third world, is a matter of great concern.

His late Majesty King Birendra had commented about the status of children during the Fourth SAARC Summit thus- "I recall a complicated problem which we all are having to confront with equally. We can get rid of the problem only if we take refuge in a world of imagination."

Seventy children are born every minute in the region and 4,000 children are added every hour. In this way the number of children added to the total population of the region at the end of the day gets over 100,000. What is more saddening is that most of them do not get to see the next day.

If only a small fraction of the sum of billions spent today on nuclear armaments in the world could be spent for the children, it would certainly help ensure their bright future.

Then, the Fifth SAARC Summit was held at Male, the capital of Maldives, in November 1990. The then prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai took part in the summit on behalf of Nepal.

The three-day summit had taken the decision to control the trafficking of narcotic drugs and observe the decade of 1991-2000 as the SAARC Decade of the Girl Child.

Had all the member countries worked in accordance with the collective commitment concerning the rights of children made at the fourth and the fifth summits, SAARC would have become a model in the international arena.

It is now believed that the Eleventh SAARC Summit to be hosted at Kathmandu, the capital, from January 4 to 6 will take serious and specific steps on child’s rights and the prevention of girl trafficking.

Terrorist suspect gunned down on spot, 59 arrested

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 26: Terrorist suspect Ram Shahi was gunned down on the spot as he tried to flee from the security force’s cordon Tuesday in Putalibazar of western Syangja district. Shahi was being held for necessary investigation.

The security forces have also arrested 59 suspects from different parts of the country and have started necessary investigation.

The army personnel arrested five terrorists along with illegal documents, banners, audiocassettes and Indian rupees 99,500 while they were continuing their search and cordon operation in Jogbudha area of Dadeldhura district, states the press release issued today by the Ministry of Defence.

Similarly, the soldiers have seized 8 muskets, some pressure cooker bombs and documents about terrorist activities from Salleri area of Dhankuta.

In their continuing bid to completely disarm and defeat the terrorists, the security forces seized socket bombs, pressure cooker bombs and 100 kg of explosives along with five sacks of terrorist documents from Tatpin area of Solukhumbu.

Meanwhile, special squads of the security forces have successfully defused socket bombs and banner bombs installed at Ghorahi bus park of Dang and Godamchaur of Lalitpur district.

Army personnel have also arrested 19 terrorist suspects from Gongabu area of Kathmandu, 14 from Bhijapur of Bardia, six from Nirmalbasti of Parsa, five each from Chitwan and Gulmi, three from Pang area of Parbat, two each from Kapilbastu and Kaski and one each from Salyan, Solukhumbu and Bhaktapur districts. Investigation as to whether they were involved in terrorist activities is underway.

Lanka, Bhutan teams arrive

Kathmandu, Dec. 26 (RSS): A five-member Bhutanese delegation led by Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dawa Penjo arrived here today to participate in the 22nd session of the programming committee of the 11th SAARC Summit conference, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The programming committee will meet from Dec. 28 to 29.

Likewise, a two-member Sri Lankan delegation led by Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mrs Sarala Fernando also arrived here today to take part in the 22nd session of the programming committee of the 11th SAARC Summit conference.

Other delegations from Bangladesh, India, the Maldives and Pakistan are scheduled to arrive here tomorrow.

US envoy meets ministers

Kathmandu, Dec. 26 (RSS): U.S. Ambassador Michael Malinowsky called on Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Gopal Man Shrestha at the latter’s office today.

During the meeting the U.S. ambassador highlighted U.S. cooperation in the preservation and sustainable development of forests in Nepal and pledged continued cooperation in promoting community forestry programmes and programmes for enhancing local users’ capability in managing natural resources.

Minister Shrestha appreciated American cooperation in the country’s forestry sector and cited protection and promotion of medicinal plants, Chure conservation and biodiversity conservation as potential areas for future U.S. cooperation.

Likewise, American Ambassador Michael Malinowsky called on Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. at the latter’s office today.

Matters concerning cultural exchange, tourism promotion and expansion of air services were discussed on the occasion.

Arms, terrorist documents seized

Kathmandu, Dec. 26 (RSS): A team of armed police personnel seized two muzzle loaders, three country made pistols and some documents relating to terrorist activity from Durgauli VDC of Kailali district today, according to the Home Ministry.

Also today, three security personnel were injured when their vehicle on the way back from Baijapur of Banke was caught in a booby trap laid by terrorists at Fattepur. Police have recovered some socket bombs and bullets from the scene.

Prithvi Jayanti celebration body formed

Kathmandu, Dec. 26 (RSS): The Royal Nepal Academy (RNA) has issued a press release here today stating that an 82-member celebration committee has been constituted with Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur KC as the chairman to celebrate the 280th birth anniversary of King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, the founder of modern Nepal.

Actions stepped up for governance reforms

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 26: In its bid to continue the Governance Reform Programme (GRP) with high priority, the government has opened different units at several ministries apart from taking other concrete steps, Khemraj Bhatta Mayalu, Minister for General Administration, said at a press meet here today.

"We have opened a Reform Coordination Unit at our ministry, an Efficiency Unit at the Finance Ministry and a Change Unit in the first phase at the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Ministry of Education and Sports and Health Ministry," he said. "The last three ministries have been chosen because these are the ministries that have to do with the basic necessities of the general masses."

Considering the government’s central organisational structure, 1,045 positions of civil servants have been scrapped off, he said. "To implement the official provision of voluntary retirement, the government has accepted the voluntary retirement of 2,328 civil servants during this fiscal year."

The ministry had requested the secretaries of all the ministries to prepare their staff’s work-details and entrust them with accompanying responsibilities. "We have also issued different directives including those dealing with civil servants’ duties, responsibilities, rights, facilities, ethics, and also those related to penalties and punishments."

Ministry of General Administration, he said, has already computerised the personal details of 68,000 civil servants.

These changes have come in line with the ongoing 18-month Governance Reform Programme supported by the Asian Development Bank, according to the minister. The programme, for now, has focussed on five different areas including growth in internal capacity for improved management, overall expansion in civil servants’ working skill, corruption elimination, growth in the capability of civil servants and reform in the work execution of prime ministries.

Billed at US$ 1.5 million, the programme’s expenses for consultants will be borne by the Asian Development Bank. "To help the consultants in their efforts, the government is expected to spend Nepalese currency worth US$ 150,000."

Already under implementation since last June, GRP has PCP Australia Limited as its consultant working together with METCON as a local consultant.

The ADB loan for the programme has several conditions including the tabling of a bill in the Parliament by making it mandatory for the elected representatives, gazetted officers, members of the constitutional bodies, cabinet members and managers of development committees and public enterprises to declare their property.

The condition also requires the formation of appropriate regulatory agencies if the provision of declaration of the asset is implemented.

In yet another condition, the government every year would also be required to randomly inspect the assets of five per cent of those persons who need to compulsorily declare their property.

Speaking during the press meet, Mukunda Raj Aryal, Secretary at the Ministry of General Administration said that the existing provisions already require civil servants to declare their property. "Once they do that, the record is kept as a secret and is not opened until and unless there is any complaint against the civil servant."

Even as the rules require civil servants to declare their property, it is not made clear what actions would be taken if they didn’t, he noted.

He also said that corruption – one of the crucial factors responsible for crippling civil service – has not been dealt with properly because of a procedural flaw. "The problem with our system is that investigations on corruption take place only if there are complaints lodged."

EU extends derogation period

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 26: The European Union (EU) has extended the period of derogation from the Rules of Origin till 2004 December 31. The EU has been providing derogation from the rules of origin on the export of textile products being exported from Nepal. With the extension of the date, it would help Nepal to expedite its export of textile goods to European countries.

His Majesty’s Government has taken the decision to wave import duty on raw materials sent by foreign suppliers to Nepali exporters without opening Letter of Credit (LC) accounts for processing and production of buying back the finished products with a view to expedite export of garments. The government has taken this decision to wave import duty by one per cent for the period of two years. The waiver however will be for specific kinds. HMG has been charging import duty of one per cent on all kinds of imported goods while issuing import license under the Export and Import Rules 2034 BS.

Meanwhile, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet Tuesday, His Majesty’s Government has constituted a five-member committee under the chairmanship of Sher Bahadur Pandey, the chairman of Nepal Oil Corporation. The committee has been formed in order to introduce some timely improvements in supply of oil across the country.

According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the committee will evaluate various policies related to import, stock and export of petroleum products and submit its report. The committee will also prepare framework on storage of LPG, petroleum products.

‘Preparations for SAARC Summit almost complete’

Kathmandu, Dec. 26 (RSS): Preparation for the forthcoming 11th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit to be held in Kathmandu from 4 to 6 January, 2002 is almost complete, according to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh.

In an exclusive interview to RSS executive editor Chiranjibi Paudyal and reporter Surya Chandra Basnet here today Singh said the government is sincerely working to make "the SAARC Summit effective and result oriented."

The annual SAARC summit of the heads of state and government scheduled to be held in the Nepalese capital in November 1999, was postponed for over two years due to tension between India and Pakistan.

The draft of the Kathmandu Declaration to be adopted at the conclusion of the summit on January 6, 2002, has already been prepared and has been sent to other member countries, he said.

State Minister Singh said keeping in view the present sensitive situation, the government has taken appropriate measures to make security very effective. "We will not leave any stone unturned to make the 11th SAARC Summit succesful". A SAARC Summit is going to be held in Kathmandu for the second time.

"The summit is a matter of the nation’s prestige. Therefore I would like to request all the political parties, civil society, party organisations and all the people to extend possible cooperation to hold the summit in a succesful manner", he said.

"All the heads of state and government of the SAARC member countries have already sent confirmation of their participation in SAARC Summit; so there is no doubt about the summit taking place", he said in reply to a question whether the summit will take place in a situation of growing tension between India and Pakistan.

Tension between the two biggest SAARC members, India and Pakistan, is growing following the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13 in which 14 people including five terrorists were killed.

Deal on prevention of women trafficking likely

Kathmandu, Dec. 26 (RSS): The seven member countries of SAARC are expected to sign the SAARC convention on preventing and combating crime against trafficking in women and children for prostitution and the SAARC convention on regional arrangement for the promotion of child welfare in South Asia during the forthcoming 11th SAARC Summit conference to be held in Kathmandu from January 4-6.

The proposed SAARC convention on preventing and combating crime against trafficking in women and children for prostitution is expected to declare flesh trade as a serious crime and make provisions for severely punishing the persons invloved in flesh trade, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gyanchand Acharya told RSS here today.

The SAARC summit conference is expected to express solidarity realising the need of joint commitment and working together against trafficking of women and children for flesh trade which has been a common problem of the member countries.

The proposed regional convention makes provision for the government and non-governmental organisations to take immediate steps to provide relief to the sufferers and action against the culprits after receiving reports of women and children trafficking.

SAARC summit

The proposed convention is expected to help foster cooperation among the civil society and social institutions of the member countries and take steps to rehabilitate the women and children invloved in flesh trade in their respective countries.

Likewise, in the proposed SAARC convention on regional arrangement for the promotion of child welfare in South Asia, the member countries are expected to give priority to child welfare in their national programme and introduce special programmes for the welfare of the children which constitutes a major portion of the population of South Asia who are poor and deprived of education, health and other facilities.

The SAARC convention will give emphasis on introducing a special programme at the regional level for the welfare of the children in South Asia.

The member countries are expected to give emphasis on implementing both the SAARC convention.