Despite Promises: Child Soldiers in Burma's Armed Forces

This report released by the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB), a long-time OSI grantee, shines light on the alarming rate at which the Burmese Army continues to recruit child soldiers. Based on research and extensive interviews of over 50 child recruits, Despite Promises: Child Soldiers in Burma’s Armed Forces belies claims that the junta has ceased using child soldiers.

The report offers evidence that child recruitment continues even after the government, under international pressure, created a high-level committee that promised to address the problem. The “Committee for Prevention of Military Recruitment of Under-Age Children” was formed in January 2004 after the UN Secretary-General reported to the UN Security Council that Burma was violating international laws prohibiting the recruitment and use of children as soldiers.

Children interviewed in the report claimed they were coerced to join the army, facing horrible conditions in training camps and the threat of injury and death on the battlefield fighting insurgents.

A downloadable version of the report is available on the HREIB website at www.hreib.com/publication_e1.html.