YANGON: Myanmar’s army has freed 96 children and young people from its armed forces, the United Nations said yesterday, hailing a “historic step” towards ending the use of child soldiers in the formerly junta-run nation.
The move was the largest single release of child recruits since Myanmar’s new reformist government and its “tatmadaw” army signed a June 2012 pact with the UN on the issue.
A total of 272 children and young people have been released over the past 18 months as the military has slowedits use of children.
Bertrand Bainvel, representative for the UN children’s agency UNICEF in the country, said the move was “a strong commitment by the Myanmar Government and the Tatmadaw to end a practice that steals the lives, hopes, and dreams of children.”
There are no verifiable figures on how many children are currently serving in Myanmar’s huge military. AFP
