The Tatmadaw on March 12 discharged 46 minors conscripted into military service, marking the twelfth such release since 2012 and the first this year, according to UNICEF Myanmar.
UNICEF stated in a press release that it welcomed the latest discharge as another positive development towards ending involvement of child soldiers in the country’s armed conflicts.
“The children and young people discharged will benefit from reintegration programs to help them re-start their lives and seize new opportunities for their own development and participation in the life of the country.”
In total, the Tatmadaw has released 745 minors to their parents or guardians since signing a Joint Action Plan with the United Nations in June 2012.
“The Tatmadaw is committed to rid its ranks of underage soldiers,” said Maj-Gen Tauk Tun of the Commander-in-Chief’s Office, who spoke at the discharging ceremony on March 12, according to the army-run Myawady Daily.
Seven non-state armed groups are listed along with the Tatmadaw by the UN Secretary-General as “persistent perpetrators” of child soldier recruitment and deployment in Myanmar, including the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), Kachin Independent Army (KIA), Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), KNLA-Peace Center (KNLA-PC), Karenni Army (KA), Shan State Army South (SSA-S), and United Wa State Army (UWSA).
The UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) on Grave Violations against Children has reportedly held discussions with some of the seven groups to encourage their commitment to Action Plans that “realize all-inclusive protective environment for all children of Myanmar.”
