Share

Myanmar military releases 91 child soldiers

Yangon - Myanmar's military released 91 children and young people from military service on Friday, the UN said as it encouraged the army to speed up demobilisation to ensure it has no under-age soldiers in its ranks.

Myanmar has for years been listed among countries where children have been recruited to fight, by both the government army and ethnic minority guerrilla groups battling the government for autonomy.

"Such discharges must be accelerated so that the Tatmadaw can quickly achieve the double objective of zero under-age recruitment, and full discharge of those that are under 18," said Shalini Bahuguna of the UN Children's Fund, referring to the military by its traditional name in Burmese.

Myanmar's military ran the country for 49 years and was condemned internationally for human rights abuses including the use of child soldiers.

A reformist, semi-civilian government that took over in 2011 has been working with the UN to get children out of the armed forces, and has freed 364 children since June 2012.

Government ministries have issued directives to authorities to ensure former child soldiers have access to health care, education and other services to help them reintegrate into society, the UN said.

The UN listed seven ethnic minority guerrilla forces, which have fought or are still fighting the government, which it said also use child soldiers including the Kachin Independence Army, Karen National Liberation Army, Karenni Army, Shan State Army South, and United Wa State Army.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 494 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 700 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.92
+0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.88
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.1%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent-ruolie
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE