Developments in Myanmar

The information below is based on the 2009 report of the Secretary General to the Security Council (A/63/785-S/2009/158) issued on 26 March 2009. More information is available in the report.

According to official reports shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Myanmar continues to screen and release underage children found in its armed forces during the training process. The United Nations has not been able to verify the cases except those of children who were released through the International Labour Organization (ILO) mechanism.

The Government further informed that it has discharged nine military recruitment officers from service for violating the national military recruitment law. However, no action against perpetrators has been taken under either the Penal Code or military regulations which results in imprisonment. ILO has noted that three military personnel received administrative penalties, such as a demotion or loss of salary, for the illegal recruitment of children. Minor progress has also been made with the recent release and quashing of cases involving two underage recruits who were imprisoned for desertion.

The Government also informed the United Nations country task force that it has put procedures in place for the rehabilitation and reintegration of underage recruits. UNICEF has not been permitted access to children who were released through the Government's mechanisms for follow-up purposes. Discussions with the Government have been initiated by the United Nations to address methods for accessing released children, as well as to undertake inspections of recruitment centres, training schools and camps, with a view to identifying children, gaining their release and subsequently supporting their reintegration and rehabilitation.

UNICEF met Wa authorities in early 2008, which included a visit to two military camps, where the Wa State Army was managing and running four primary schools. This is worrisome, given the allegations of their recruitment and use of child soldiers. The Wa reported that the students are not given military training and that they are attired in military uniform because these are affordable. The children are orphans, street children or children from poor families. No further assessment was carried out and there has been no further contact with the Wa authorities.

Reports from camps along the border areas found one case of a child recruited by the Karen National Union (KNU) and three cases of children associated with the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP). The monitoring and reporting mechanism has been established in all nine camps along the border in order to improve the verification of cases and raise awareness on the issue of child soldiers among camp residents.

There have been reports of the presence of children among other groups listed in the 2007 report but the United Nations had not been able to establish contact with any of these groups as of end December 2008.

Parties responsible for recruitment and use of children

  1. Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA)
  2. Karen National Union-Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council
  3. Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
  4. Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)*: this party has sought to conclude an action plan with the United Nations in line with Security Council resolutions 1539 (2004) and 1612 (2005), but the United Nations has been prevented from doing so by the Government of Myanmar. Status: No Action plan. However, the Karen National Union (KNU)/KNLA signed a deed of commitment on 6 April 2007;
  5. Karenni Army (KA) *: this party has sought to conclude an action plan with the United Nations in line with Security Council resolutions 1539 (2004) and 1612 (2005), but the United Nations has been prevented from doing so by the Government of Myanmar. Status: No Action plan. However, the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP)/KA signed a deed of commitment on 13 April 2007.
  6. Karenni National People's Liberation Front (KNPLF) Status: No Action plan. The country team has been unable to establish contact with these non-State entities to date.
  7. Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army
  8. Shan State Army-South (SSA-S)
  9. Tatmadaw Kyi:* this party has also been responsible for the denial of humanitarian access to children in the reporting period. Status: No Action plan. The Government action plan does not meet minimum standards. In 2004, the Government of Myanmar high-level committee for the prevention of military recruitment of underage children outlined a plan of action to address the recruitment, release and reintegration of children; public awareness; cooperation with international organizations; and action against transgressors of recruitment policies. During the visit of the Special Representative in June 2007, the Government of Myanmar agreed to update the Tatmadaw Kyi action plan and to bring it into line with international standards, with the country task force on monitoring and reporting. The United Nations has formally sought a meeting with the Committee to advance discussions on the action plan development and implementation, but the meeting has not yet taken place.
  10. United Wa State Army (UWSA). Status: No Action plan. During the visit of the Special Representative in June 2007, UWSA agreed to engage with the United Nations on the modalities for an action plan.

Parties marked with an asterisk (*) have been on the annex lists for a minimum of four years.

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