Myanmar’s army releases 46 child soldiers under UN deal
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This file photo shows soldiers of the Taaung National Liberation Army (TNLA), a Palaung ethnic armed group, standing guard outside a village in Mantong township, in Myanmar's northern Shan state. ©AFP
Myanmar’s military has released nearly 50 more child soldiers from service as part of an agreement with the United Nations, state media say.
On Saturday, 46 children who had served in the Myanmarese army, called Tatmadaw, were handed over to their families during a ceremony in Yangon, the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.
“The Tatmadaw is committed to rid its ranks of underage soldiers,” Major General Tauk Tun was quoted as saying in the report.
The report added that so far 744 child soldiers have been discharged “in 12 batches, including yesterday’s release,” under the 2012 pact with the UN.
The exact number of children currently serving in the army or other groups is not known.
Myanmar’s army has faced a wide range of accusations, including rights abuses and the forced recruitment of children to work as porters and human mine detectors.
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