Lawmakers in the National Assembly have strongly criticized ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), accusing it of violating the constitution, domestic laws, and international treaties by granting party membership to over 35,000 children.
Speaking during the zero hour of the National Assembly meeting on Monday, lawmakers Chandra Bahadur KC and Jagat Timilsina expressed grave concern over the move, stating that recruiting minors under the age of 18 breaches the Constitution of Nepal, the Act Relating to Children, and international child rights conventions. They urged bodies like the National Human Rights Commission to take immediate notice of the situation.
Lawmaker KC pointed out the stark contradiction in RSP's political stance, questioning how a party that advocates for the dissolution of student unions could justify actively recruiting thousands of children into its own ranks. During his address, KC also drew the government's attention to the heartbreaking plight of landless squatters who have been displaced from their shelters.
Meanwhile, MP Timilsina accused the ruling party of directly infringing upon children's human rights. He criticized the government for turning a blind eye to the RSP's unlawful activities, emphasizing that no political entity should be given a free pass to violate the nation's laws.
.
