THE Report of the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict for 2024, document A/79/878-S/2025/247 incorporating country-specific descriptions of 25 countries and one region, including Myanmar, was released on 17 June 2025, and the Open Debate at the United Nations Security Council was organized from 25 to 26 June 2025.
The Government of Myanmar, as a member of the United Nations, reaffirms its commitment and ongoing efforts to comply with international standards for the prevention of children and armed conflicts.
Regarding the prevention of underage recruitment, a joint verification process for suspected minors has been conducted between the Committee on Protection of Underage Recruitment, led by the Ministry of Defence, and the Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR). Additionally, four bilateral meetings were held in 2024. A total of 93 verified minors have been discharged and returned to their guardians/parents, with financial assistance provided to discharged individuals. To date, only 18 suspected minor cases remain pending verification by both sides.
To uphold the protection and welfare of the children, the National Committee on the Prevention of Grave Violations against Children was established in 2019 to prevent and protect the six grave violations against children in armed conflicts. Furthermore, Myanmar launched the 4 Digit Helpline (1566), as a national complaint mechanism to prevent killing, maiming, and sexual violence against children in armed conflicts. As of December 2024, 98 reported incidents have been referred to related departments and organizations. No report or complaint regarding sexual violence against children in armed conflicts has been filed.
In addition, knowledge and awareness training on the prevention and the Six Grave Violations against Children in Armed Conflicts have been provided to military personnel and government officials.
These efforts demonstrate Myanmar’s firm commitment to adhering to international standards for the prevention of children and armed conflicts.
Despite these efforts, it has been observed that this year’s report includes unverified and unfounded allegations with numerical figures that lack proper substantiation. Despite the government’s prior provision of evidence and on-ground information in response to the request by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, the report once again fails to verify, cross-check, or investigate these claims.
Moreover, the Report alleges that 482 minors were recruited and used by the Myanmar armed forces. However, in 2024, UN CTFMR shared only eight cases of suspected minors for joint verification, rendering the figures presented in the report entirely misrepresented.
In addition to this, it is deeply disappointing that the distorted report omits the inhumane and brutal acts committed by terrorist groups such as NUG and PDFs and certain EAOs. These groups have been responsible for the deaths of 8,588 unarmed civilians, including 318 children (198 boys and 120 girls), as well as injuries to 1,219 children since 2021. However, the report downplays the atrocities committed by the said armed groups.
The report presents figures without specifying incidents and downplays grave violations committed by the PDFs by using the term “unidentified perpetrators”.
Given these circumstances, the report with biases and a country-specific nature, with the intention to exert undue political pressure on a member state, will only hinder constructive dialogue and progress. Such action raises concerns about objectivity, credibility, neutrality, and data collection methodology of the United Nations.
Myanmar firmly rejects the distorted figures and baseless accusations contained in the report. Myanmar remains committed to exerting its utmost efforts to safeguard the rights and safety of children. Therefore, Myanmar strongly urges the United Nations to adopt a balanced, credible, and constructive approach towards member states while issuing reports.
Committee on Prevention of Grave Violations against Children in Armed Conflict, Myanmar 3 July 2025
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