ASIA/MYANMAR - Armed forces have released 67 child soldiers

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Internet

Naipyidó (Agenzia Fides) - Myanmar's armed forces released 67 child soldiers under pact with UN. This is its first discharge this year as part of a process to end forced recruitment of underage fighters. This is the first step to improve the lives of over 2 million children involved in armed conflicts. This was reported by a UNICEF representative to the country. The military has released a total of 849 child soldiers from its ranks since the government of Myanmar signed an agreement with the UN to stop using child soldiers in 2012. However, there are no verifiable figures to prove how many children currently serve in the military. The widespread use of children as soldiers and laborers by the army and also by some ethnic armed groups was one of many human rights abuses in Myanmar’s ethnic area along the border with Thailand and China. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 11/7/2017)


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