Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, has called on the UN Security Council to protect children from the violations being committed by the military council in Myanmar. Speaking at an open meeting of the Security Council in New York on June 26, under the theme ‘Children and Armed Conflict’ (CAAC), the ambassador highlighted the escalating violations against children since the military’s illegal seizure of power in February 2021.
The ambassador emphasized that there has been a significant increase in serious violations against children in Myanmar since the military coup. He stated that the military council is undeniably responsible for harming children, who are not only losing their basic rights to education and healthcare but are also disproportionately bearing the brunt of the military’s brutal actions. He detailed how children are being recruited as soldiers, killed, tortured, and subjected to various forms of abuse by the military forces. The military’s increased aerial attacks, systematic bombing campaigns, and targeting of educational and healthcare facilities have severely impacted children across the country.
According to the UN Secretary-General’s annual reports on children and armed conflict, the situation in Myanmar shows little improvement and continues to deteriorate. The reports document detailed patterns of crimes including the recruitment or use of children as soldiers, unlawful detention, killing, maiming, rape and other sexual violence, attacks on schools, and denial of humanitarian assistance. The ambassador particularly highlighted the military’s forced recruitment announcement in early 2024, which has led to the arbitrary arrest of young people. Additionally, children in Myanmar are facing food insecurity, malnutrition, lack of access to vaccinations, and increasing poverty levels.
Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun urged the Security Council to take effective action against the Myanmar military, including implementing targeted sanctions, cutting off weapons and financial support, and ending the military’s impunity. He called for the international community to ensure accountability for crimes against children and emphasized the need for more decisive action to protect the future of Myanmar’s children. The ambassador stressed that Myanmar’s children need to regain their trust and hope in the UN and the international community through concrete protective measures and immediate action to prevent further loss of lives and futures.
