Child soldiers continue to be recruited in military ruled Burma
March 30, 2007: The Burmese military junta continues to recruit child soldiers in contravention of international laws, without batting an eyelid. It is persuading and coercing youth of all ages to join the army using different ploys.
Deserted child soldier - Aung Myint Thun
"The authorities are forcibly recruiting young people. The young find it difficult to work in the army camp where there are a host of problems," Aung Myint Thun who spent six years in the army and then deserted told Khonumthung News.
He was waiting for a city bus at the Da Nying Kone bus stop to go to his work place in Yangon when two army men approached him and told him about the benefits of joining the army. It could provide financial backup to his family and take care of the shortages while he too could have good stuff and food in the camp. They persuaded him and he joined the army, the youth said.
When he joined the Burmese Army he was only 12 years old and he was assigned duty in Matupi, Chin state, army battalion (304). His reason for joining the army had to do with his family facing problems in earning their livelihood.
In regard to recruitment of child soldiers, the Chin Human Right Organization, Field Director Mr. Terah said, "There are more and more recruitment of teenagers in the army. Some are forced while others are persuaded to join the army. This is violation of a child’s rights."
Similarly, Zin Oo who studied till the seventh standard and was 13 years old was persuaded to join the army’s LIB No. 349 when he was working in Myaung Mya Township in Irrawaddy division. He was made the usual false promises that he would he able to support his family.
It is only later that the youth realize that the reality is different than the rosy picture painted by the army while going about recruitment. They do not get salaries regularly and are under tremendous pressure in the camp. Besides, they are not permitted to contact their families, leaving them little option but to run away.
In Chin state the authorities have been trying to spread Buddhism and they have opened schools in monasteries free of charge for those who cannot afford to study in government schools. But when the boys are about 12 to 13 years old the authorities take them to Rangoon and force them to join the army.
Moreover, in Chin state all army personnel are under orders to recruit people to serve the armed forces. Therefore they try to persuade one and all without keeping in mind the age factor. – KNG.
