Reports

The complex connection between drug trafficking and violence poses a serious threat to international development and security. This relationship often creates a vicious cycle that further destabilises the regions in which it takes place and undermines their governance. In addition to feeding ongoing hostilities, the growth of the illicit drug economy in conflict-prone areas fosters the conditions necessary for the emergence of new conflicts. Armed groups fighting in civil wars have been using illegal trade of rare resources for a long time, such as diamonds in Sierra Leone, Angola, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Globally, between 10 to 20 percent of children and adolescents suffer from mental disorders, with half of them developing such disorders as early as the age of 14. In Nepal, 40 percent of the population is under the age of 18, therefore a large part of the Nepalese population faces the risk of developing a mental disorder within their childhood years. Alarmingly, Nepal has only recently recognised the presence of child and adolescent mental health problems, as prior to this recognition, mental health matters were basically non-existent in Nepal’s health-related agenda and policy. However, the adequate planning of public health and mental health services, as well as ensuring that children have access to treatment for their mental health issues is an obligation of the State, ensured under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was ratified by Nepal in 1990. This report aims to map out the state of children’s mental health in Nepal, as well as the potential causes of their mental health problems. It will also explore the shortcomings in the realisation of the right to mental health and respective services, showcasing the possibilities to improve the addressing and treatment of mental health problems for children and adolescents in Nepal.

The Yazidi community, an ethno-religious minority from Iraq’s Sinjar region, has endured horrific atrocities since 2014, when ISIS militants began a campaign of genocide against them. Yazidi children in particular have faced unimaginable horrors, including abduction, enslavement, and witnessing the brutal killing of family members. These experiences have left deep psychological scars, making mental health support an urgent priority for this vulnerable group. International human rights legislation, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), mandate that children who have experienced severe trauma receive special care to aid their recovery and reintegration. Despite these legal protections, the reality for Yazidi refugee children often falls short of these standards. Many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other severe mental health conditions, exhibiting symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, and social withdrawal​. Mental health support for Yazidi refugee children is critically lacking. Refugee camps face a shortage of trained mental health professionals and culturally sensitive services. Efforts by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Amnesty International provide trauma counselling and support groups but are often limited by resources and the great scale of need​​​​​. Addressing this crisis requires training healthcare providers in trauma-informed care, integrating mental health services into broader healthcare and education systems, and ensuring refugees’ inclusion in national health systems to provide comprehensive support​. This report explores the mental health rights and support systems available to Yazidi refugee children from a human rights law perspective, highlighting the gaps in current frameworks and proposing actionable improvements to ensure their psychological well-being.