Myanmar’s Response: UNSG Politically Motivated Report Rejected

It is observed that the report of the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict was released and annual open debate on the report was held at the United Nations Security Council on 19 July 2022.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and the United Nation’s Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (UNCTFMR) failed to verify the numbers and alleged cases contained in the report with Myanmar despite that the United Nations personnel are required to perform their functions transparently and impartially.
The report only includes numbers without specifying any incident, while downplaying the massive killings committed by the so-called CRPH and PDFs by stating those responsible terrorists as “unidentified perpetrators”.
Due to the violence committed by the NUG and PDFs terrorist groups, 76 children lost their lives and 27 hospitals and clinics, 504 schools and educational buildings were destroyed across the nation.
The Government of Myanmar has been committed in preventing grave violations against children as a State party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Accordingly, the State Administration Council has continued the work of the Committee for Prevention of Grave Violations against Children in Armed Conflict and reconstituted the Committee on 21st July 2021.
The Second National Action Plan on the Prevention of Killing, Maiming and Sexual Violence against Children in Armed Conflict (2022-2023) is at the stage of finalizing after the completion of the first National Action Plan implemented from (10.8.2020) to (10.8.2021).
In addition, Myanmar signed the Joint Action Plan with the UNCTFMR in 2012 to prevent recruitment and use of children. The Committee on Prevention of Underage Recruitment was formed under the chairmanship of the Union Minister of Defence since 2011 and it used to work closely with UNCTFMR.
Although the Committee has maintained its work with the UNCTFMR, the latter chose non-cooperation. The Committee, however, managed to convene a meeting with the UNCTFMR on 3 May 2022. Myanmar has continued its work with or without the support of the United Nations.
On 13 May 2022, 28 underage individuals were handed over to their parents since they were unintentionally recruited in the Tatmadaw due to insufficient documentation to identify their ages. From 2012 to 2022 May, a total of 1057 underage individuals were discharged from the Tatmadaw and punitive actions were taken against 475 responsible military personnel (109 officers, 366 other ranks).
The report fails to fairly reflect these factual things. It is further observed that Kyaw Moe Tun, a dismissed civil servant who has been facing charge of high treason, participated at the said meeting and made a misleading statement.
Myanmar registered its objection against his participation with the United Nations and rejects his statement which does not represent the country.
As such acts by the United Nations will never bring any positive outcome but become increasingly politicized that is directly contrary to the principles of the United Nations, Myanmar categorically rejects unfounded allegations contained in the report and one-sided remarks made by certain countries.