Nepal Maoists agree to release thousands of child soldiers

Kathmandu - Nepal's former Maoist rebels on Wednesday agreed to release nearly 3,000 former child soldiers who have been living in United Nations camps for the past three years. The release of minors is a key component of the peace accord signed between the government and the Maoist rebels just over three years ago.

"This is a historic step in Nepal's peace process," said Karen Landgren, chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). "We hope that it will encourage other steps to unblock the current political stalemate."

The minors will be released starting on December 27. The process will be completed over 40 days, said Radhika Coomaraswamy, the special representative of the UN secretary general for children and armed conflict.

"Today, the minors who have spent the last three years in Maoist army cantonment with their lives on hold will finally be able to take the next step towards a more positive future," Coomaraswamy said.

Once released, the children will be able to choose between various training programs supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). They include general education, vocational or business training.

The UN will also monitor the children to make sure they do not return to violence or are recruited by other groups.

The peace process between between the Maoists and other political parties had been at an impasse during the past six months.

Another 1,000 Maoist combatants remain in the camps.

"I believe the agreement will open the door for all Maoist combatants to leave the Maoist camps," said peace minister Rakam Chemjong.

Nearly 14,000 people died in Nepal's communist insurgency which formally ended in November 2006.