The Committee for Preventing Grave Violence against Children in Armed Conflict held the first coordination meeting with the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (UNCTFMR) at the office of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye, in his capacity as the chairman of committee, said Myanmar has enacted the Child Rights Law in 2019, and the committee was formed to protect the children in armed conflicts in line with the law.
He added the committee will focus on security of civilians in armed conflicts in accordance with the 10 tasks of committee, including coordinating with UNICEF, UNDP and UNCTFMR.
The anti-grave violation committee has formed a work committee and a core group, and has held meetings with them.
The Union Minister said the report of UN Secretary General has pushed Myanmar to increase cooperation with international community in this issue, and that the coordination meeting could relieve pressure on Myanmar.
Ms June Kunugi, the Chair of UNCTFMR, expressed thanks for the committee’s report on its work plan and her appreciations on the coordination of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement , the Ministry of Defence Services, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the relevant ministries.

She also explained the responsibilities of UNCTFMR to monitor and identify grave violence in line with the stipulations of UN Security Council, with suggestion to develop a mechanism for protecting children, preventing them from using as soldiers and taking effective legal actions.

She suggested the government is responsible for protecting the schools under the Safe School Declaration adopted by the UN, and it should be a topic for discussion during the upcoming Panglong Conference.
The Chair of UNCTFMR also recognized the reputation of Myanmar in the world for eliminating child soldiers, and said the readiness of her agency to coordinate with Myanmar Government in this issue.
Director-General of Rehabilitation Department U Win Naing Tun, the secretary of committee, reported on the works of committee, followed by the discussions of attendees on implementation of national work plans for preventing the deadly risks for children and sexual abuses in armed conflicts.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005) has defined that six grave violations against children in armed conflicts are— killing and maiming of children; recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups; sexual violence against children; attacks against schools or hospitals; abduction of children; denial of humanitarian access for children.

The Committee for Preventing Grave Violence against Children in Armed Conflict was formed on 7 January 2019 to prevent these violations.—MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)