Myanmar army releases 42 more child soldiers
The Myanmar army yesterday allowed 42 children to resign from military service, in a bid to end the recruitment of minors in the armed forces after decades of civil war.
“A total of 42 child soldiers were allowed to resign from the army and we will give them all related documents such as resignation permits, and national registration cards,” said Joint
Adjutant General Maj-General Tin Maung Win of the office. The resignations were approved by the Army commander-in-chief.
Maung Arkar, a resignee from Rakhine State, said: “I was serving at the Battle Ground Engineering Association (Mawlamyine) of Southeast Command. I joined the army as my friends did. At the time I was 14 and now I am nearly 18. I had to go to frontlines for clearinglandmines. I had to go to active areas. I am very happy now to be out of service.”
“I want to tell others that they should take lesson from me. I am now planning to work for humanitarian aid organisations. I have completed Grade 10 in school education,” he added.
Child soldiers allowed to resign were from the following areas: three each from Bago Region (East) and Bago Region (West), one from Shan State (East), seven from Rakhine State, three from Magway Region, five from Ayeyawady Region, three from Sagaing Region, one each from Kayin State and Kachin State, 10 from Yangon Region, five from Mandalay and one from Chin State.
Arkar, along with the other minors, had been sent to a care center where they will receive plans for reunion with their parents, healthcare, education and employment, Maj-Gen Tin Maung Win said. The center was established by the United Nation’s Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting of grave violations of child rights in armed conflict (UN CTFMR) and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
Myanmar signed an agreement to prevent recruitment of minors with the UN CTFMR on June 27. The country agreed to make sure that all child soldiers – anyone younger than 18 – will be out of military service within 18 months.
From 2004 to date, over 600 child soldiers have been allowed to resign, Colonel Maung Maung Shin of the Ministry of Defence disclosed.
Union Defence Minister Lt-General Hla Min said a total of 201 officers and other ranks have faced legal action for breaching rules in military recruiting.
RELATED