Myanmar vows to end use of child soldiers
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - A government spokesman says Myanmar is committed to resolving the problem of recruiting and using child soldiers. The statement came in response to a new report charging that the practice continues despite a pact with the United Nations to end it.
Deputy Information Minister and presidential spokesman Ye Htut said on Thursday that Myanmar's signing of the agreement last June demonstrated the country's commitment and political will to eliminate the problem.
The human rights group Child Soldiers International reported on Wednesday that levels of child recruitment have declined, and 42 children had been released from Myanmar's army since the pact, but the practice continues due to a lack of political will to implement safeguards, with a failure to monitor army recruitment.
The London-based group said recruitment patterns appear unchanged from the past decade.
