Ban praises Myanmar in reducing of child-soldiers but need more practice

Ban Ki-moon who is the UN Secretary General disclosed that the government of Myanmar has lessened the number of children recruited to be part of the military forces, said news report from Bangkok Post.

The remarks of Ban came when President Thein Sein made an official tour to Washington.

The agreement between the government of Myanmar and the United Nations was signed last June stating that children below 18 years old must not be recruited to become soldiers.

Official statistics showed that child soldier recruitment was reduced like for instance from year 2009 with 172 cases and were brought down to 32 cases only ion 2012. However there were reports revealed to the Security Council that the military continuously pursue unaccompanied children, orphans found in markets, streets, , ferry terminals, train stations, bus and even in their home villages.

According to the International Labour Organization from April 1, 2009 to January 31, 2013, they received 802 complaints of minor children recruited in the military service. About 770 cases were confirmed.

Most of the boys who were recruited were 14 to 17 years of age. But a task force assigned to monitor the child soldiers revealed that even children aged 10 years of age are recruited.

Moreover Ban asked the Myanmar government to stop the recruitment of children who are 16 years old and who have finished grade 10 and to get from the Office of the Adjutant General a special authorization to join the army.

Under this exception 167 boys were enlisted in year 2012 and this is against the agreement signed between the UN and Myanmar in banning child soldiers recruitment, the report said.