Nepali Congress has made it clear that it will not grant party membership to those under the age of 18.
The Child Rights Subcommittee of the Nepali Congress's Central Policy, Research and Training Academy has published a public appeal and urged everyone not to make children party members.
NC has stated that those interested in taking up the new active membership launched through the digital system can apply online through the party's official portal until July 4. However, only those who have completed 18 years of age will get this opportunity and responsibility, said Umang Lohani, coordinator of the Child Rights Subcommittee.
"This provision related to age is not only the party's legal vision but also the essence of the country's laws and constitution," he said.
The Nepali Congress, the Political Parties Act, 2073, and the Children's Act, 2075 have clearly stipulated that a person must be at least 18 years of age to become a member of a political party. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Nepal is a party, and the universally established principles of child rights have directed that children be guaranteed their natural childhood, protection, and safe education, free from political and party interests and abuse. NC has reiterated that can we establish a prosperous society only by respecting and adhering to all of these rules.
"It is the common responsibility and common duty of all the ruling and opposition parties to abide by and protect these laws and conventions. On the contrary, it is necessary to be deeply aware that when any party makes children party members, it will seriously affect the image of the party concerned within the country and Nepal itself in international forums," reads the appeal. "The actions seen in the membership details of the party to which the Prime Minister is affiliated that are contrary to the constitution, law, and conventions related to children are not only sad, but also objectionable and shameful. This Subcommittee of Nepali Congress on Child Rights expects the Prime Minister to give a public response in this regard, as well as his readiness to implement the law."
The ruling party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, recently released the party membership data, which shows that the number of children under the age of 18 is 35,257.
The Nepali Congress Central Policy, Research and Training Academy has also publicly called on all levels of the party to prevent the wrong trend of robbing children of their childhood on the one hand and acting against the law and the constitution on the other hand from manifesting itself anywhere in the country.
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