Myanmar: stepped up efforts to prevent child soldiers’ recruitment – Ban

In spite of some positive steps, greater efforts are crucial in Myanmar to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers and to release all children associated with South-East Asian nation’s armed forces, according to a new report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Mr. Ban called on the Government to engage with the country task force to finalize an action plan – ensuring the security and safety of monitors, witness and victims, among other measures – which conforms to international standards.

In the report to the Security Council on children and armed conflict in Myanmar, he urged authorities, “as a matter of priority,” to “redress the prevailing culture of impunity, to launch investigations into all incidents of recruitment and use of children, and to prosecute people responsible for such acts under the Penal Code.”

“Building on the limited progress thus far, the Government should, with immediate effect, cease the arrest, harassment and imprisonment of children under the age of 18 for desertion and/or attempting to leave the army, and continue to work with the country task force to monitor such cases and to ensure the swift and unconditional surrender of children,” Mr. Ban said.

He also pointed to the “continued lack of humanitarian access” in Myanmar, especially in contested and ceasefire areas, as an obstacle to providing much-needed assistance.”

The Secretary-General cited the “best interest of the child” principle in calling on authorities to ensure full, unimpeded and safe access for children and to allow the UN and other humanitarian organizations to deliver relief supplies to all parts of the country, “without exception.”