ASIA/MYANMAR - In the process of reforms underway, even the release of child soldiers

Naypyidaw (Agenzia Fides) - According to the independent Burmese newspaper Irrawaddy, a total of 553 child soldiers were released from the Armed Forces in 2014. Recently, the Army has released 80 others, recruited illegally, following an agreement signed with UNICEF in 2012 to start their reintegration into society. In addition to an agreement with the Government, UNICEF has announced plans to open dialogue with the guerrillas of the ethnic minorities to eradicate the recruitment of children in their ranks. After nearly half a century of military rule, in 2011 Myanmar initiated a process of political, economic and social process. However, according to the UN, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, the Kachin Independence Army, the National Army of Karen Liberation, Karenni Army, the Shan State Army and the Wa Union State still have child soldiers in their ranks. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 25/11/2014)