Members of the Universal Access for Children Affected by AIDS in Nepal (UCAAN) have expressed deep concern over the recent expulsion of HIV infected and affected children by schools in different parts of the country. "Incidents in Kavre, Kailali, and Banke districts, and most recently in Kaski district, have deprived these children of their basic human rights as expressed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Nepal is a signatory. Non-discrimination is a principle of the Nepali Constitution and a right to education is constitutionally guaranteed for every Nepali child," a statement issued by UCAAN said.

Citing the recent Supreme Court ruling that children affected and infected by HIV should not be discriminated against on such grounds, UCAAN said such actions depriving children from educational opportunities are against national and international laws. UCAAN members urged all organisations and institutions to collectively condemn such discriminatory acts against children and requested the Government of Nepal to take action to ensure that the rights of these children are protected now and in the future.

 

UCAAN consists of 11 aid agencies including Unicef, USAID Nepal, Save the Children, UNAIDS, United Mission to Nepal and Family Health International (FHI). nepalnews.com May 21 09 Source: http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2009/may/may21/news08.php