THE Report of the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict for 2024, document A/79/878-S/2025/247 incorporating country-specific descriptions of 25 countries and one region, including Myanmar, was released on 17 June 2025, and the Open Debate at the United Nations Security Council was organized from 25 to 26 June 2025.
The Government of Myanmar, as a member of the United Nations,
reaffirms its commitment and ongoing efforts to comply with international
standards for the prevention of children and armed conflicts.
Regarding the prevention of underage recruitment, a joint
verification process for suspected minors has been conducted between the
Committee on Protection of Underage Recruitment, led by the Ministry of
Defence, and the Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR).
Additionally, four bilateral meetings were held in 2024. A total of 93 verified
minors have been discharged and returned to their guardians/parents, with
financial assistance provided to discharged individuals. To date, only 18 suspected
minor cases remain pending verification by both sides.
To uphold the protection and welfare of the children, the
National Committee on the Prevention of Grave Violations against Children was
established in 2019 to prevent and protect the six grave violations against
children in armed conflicts. Furthermore, Myanmar launched the 4 Digit Helpline
(1566), as a national complaint mechanism to prevent killing, maiming, and
sexual violence against children in armed conflicts. As of December 2024, 98
reported incidents have been referred to related departments and organizations.
No report or complaint regarding sexual violence against children in armed
conflicts has been filed.
In addition, knowledge and awareness training on the
prevention and the Six Grave Violations against Children in Armed Conflicts
have been provided to military personnel and government officials.
These efforts demonstrate Myanmar’s firm commitment to
adhering to international standards for the prevention of children and armed
conflicts.
Despite these efforts, it has been observed that this year’s
report includes unverified and unfounded allegations with numerical figures
that lack proper substantiation. Despite the government’s prior provision of
evidence and on-ground information in response to the request by the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, the
report once again fails to verify, cross-check, or investigate these claims.
Moreover, the Report alleges that 482 minors were recruited
and used by the Myanmar armed forces. However, in 2024, UN CTFMR shared only
eight cases of suspected minors for joint verification, rendering the figures
presented in the report entirely misrepresented.
In addition to this, it is deeply disappointing that the
distorted report omits the inhumane and brutal acts committed by terrorist
groups such as NUG and PDFs and certain EAOs. These groups have been
responsible for the deaths of 8,588 unarmed civilians, including 318 children
(198 boys and 120 girls), as well as injuries to 1,219 children since 2021.
However, the report downplays the atrocities committed by the said armed
groups.
The report presents figures without specifying incidents and
downplays grave violations committed by the PDFs by using the term
“unidentified perpetrators”.
Given these circumstances, the report with biases and a
country-specific nature, with the intention to exert undue political pressure
on a member state, will only hinder constructive dialogue and progress. Such
action raises concerns about objectivity, credibility, neutrality, and data
collection methodology of the United Nations.
Myanmar firmly rejects the distorted figures and baseless
accusations contained in the report. Myanmar remains committed to exerting its
utmost efforts to safeguard the rights and safety of children. Therefore,
Myanmar strongly urges the United Nations to adopt a balanced, credible, and
constructive approach towards member states while issuing reports.
Committee on Prevention of Grave Violations against Children
in Armed Conflict, Myanmar 3 July 2025
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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