Satyarthi asks Nepalese lawmakers to protect children

Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi today pressed Nepalese lawmakers to protect children and asked them to do more for child rights in the new Constitution being drafted to protect the country's over 1.6 million child labourers.
"It is your responsibility to ensure the protection, freedom, dignity, education and health of the children, in the new Constitution," Satyarthi said in his address to Nepal's parliament.
He asked the lawmakers to enshrine child rights in the new constitution currently being drafted by them.
Satyarthi, who is on a three-day visit to the Himalayan country, asked the National Planning Commission of Nepal to remember the smiling faces of children while formulating budget and carrying carrying out projects.

The 60-year-old said his Nobel Peace Prize was for all children across the globe.
Expressing happiness to come to Nepal, he said despite more than 10,000 invitations from several countries, he visited Nepal first remembering his children and brothers and sisters here.

He said one could learn a lot of things from children, adding that the parents need to show an honest and friendly behaviour to their children.
"My responsibility to the children in Nepal has increased. I want to see child labour and illiteracy disappear from the world. I declare it from the birthplace of Lord Buddha," he said.

On the occasion, Minister for Information and Communications Minendra Rijal offered a shawl and a letter of felicitation to Satyarthi.
Rijal said Satyarthi has done exemplary work against trafficking of Nepalese girls. He said it is because of his campaign against illiteracy, poverty and child rights he was awarded with the Nobel.
Satyarthi and Pakistan's child activist Malala Yousafzai were awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.