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Photo source: Neha Maheen Mahfin, via Unplash, April 18th, 2022.
24-02-2026 | Dominik Miklósi | Asia Researcher, Global Human Rights Defence.
In February 2026, Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called for the government’s exclusion of children from activities concerning the upcoming general elections of the Himalayan country. It also highlighted the importance of respecting the human rights of Nepalese people in the process and enhancing security throughout the elections. According to the NHRC, “Political parties, candidates and cadres have been found using children in election publicity programmes and political activities against election code of conduct as well as in election activities published and disseminated through social platforms”. Therefore, the independent constitutional body urges putting an end to featuring children in the campaign aimed at political gains.
However, this is not the first time the NHRC issued a statement in the matter. For instance, during the summer of 2016, it voiced concerns regarding the employment of children by political parties in protests and rallies. The statement emphasised that “The use of children in political activities is against Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 to which Nepal is a party, and in contravention of Article 39 of the Constitution of Nepal”. Furthermore, it added the following: “As the political parties have also expressed commitment through their election manifestoes to ensure child rights, the use of children in political activities is very worrisome […]”.
The elections are scheduled to take place on March 5th, 2026, after the widely known Gen Z protests have led to the toppling of the former government in autumn 2025.
The Government of Nepal and all political actors must ensure that basic human rights, including children’s rights, remain intact in any form of political activity. This means children’s complete exclusion from processes and protection from potential exploitation, thereby adhering to international standards to carry out fair, just, and lawful elections.
