Three thousand former child soldiers are due to leave UN-monitored camps in Nepal today, where they have been living for the last three years.

The child soldiers fought for the Maoists in the decade-long civil war in the Himalayan state. Around 24,000 former soldiers have spent the last few years in camps since the peace treaty was concluded in 2006.

The departure of the young people is seen as an important step forward in Nepal's somewhat shaky peace process. The Maoists plan to integrate the remaining 20,000 soldiers into the regular Nepalese army. Young people who were not involved in the fighting will also leave the camps.

Photo: Maoist demonstration, September 2009 (Flickr / Ingmar)