Myanmar signs with UN to release child soldiers

Mrs. Radhika Coomaraswamy (C) at the press conference Myanmar and the United Nations signed an action plan to prevent the recruitment and use of minors in the Tatmadaw and allow for the release of under-age recruits, said Mrs. Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict at a press conference in Yangon on 29 June. Speaking at the press conference held at the UNICEF office, Mrs. Coomaraswamy told the reporters that the plan agreement was signed on 27 June and it will take effect within 18 months. She said that actions will be taken against the government such as economic sanctions if the minors are still being recruited after 18 months. According to her, child soldiers are recruited by the Tatmadaw as well as seven national races armed groups, namely the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Karen National Liberation Army, the KNU / KNLA (Peace Council), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Shan State Army – South (SSA), and the United Wa State Army (UWSA). She added that the exact figure of under-age recruits is unknown and it could be higher than other countries. A representative from the UNICEF stated that over 500 under-age recruits have been released from the Tatmadaw since 2007 at the request of the UNICEF. At the ceremony to sign the Plan of Action for Prevention against Recruitment of Minors, which was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 27 June, the Union Minister for Defence Lieutenant-General Hla Min said that actions have been taken against 201 military officers and other ranks that did not follow the rules and regulations of the Tatmadaw in doing military recruitment.