YouSaid · the spoken record

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154

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2003-01-14

most recent

2010-06-16

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19

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un-security-council

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1. “There is neither a draft system nor forced conscription by the Government of Myanmar. The Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, who had visited Myanmar four times, expressed concern in his report over: "abuses of civilians and refugees on the part of armed opposition groups, notably the Karenni National Liberation Army, which has been accused of forced conscription of male villagers, including under-age youths". (A/57/290, para. 19) It is a practice of armed insurgent groups in Myanmar to recruit and abuse child soldiers. That was brought to the wide attention of the international community in 2000, when some members of a splinter insurgent group, styling themselves as God's Army, took over a hospital in Ratchaburi, in Thailand, taking 700 people hostage.”

   2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source

2. “In that regard, I share the view expressed this morning by one Council member about the need for verification and checking the validity of information before it is presented to the Security Council. Nor should the issue of protection of children be politicized. The allegation made regarding my country is the result of interviewing 20 or so insurgents inside a neighbouring country. Additionally, the situation in Myanmar is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a threat to international peace and security. The Myanmar armed forces is an all-volunteer army. Those entering military service do so of their own free will. Under the Myanmar Defence Services Act of 1974 and War Office Council Instruction 13/73, a person cannot enlist in the armed forces until he has attained the age of 18.”

   2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source

3. “We share the opinion that there is a need to promote and disseminate these norms and standards and to raise awareness about them on the ground. We take satisfaction from the fact that, in preparing the list, the Secretary-General was guided by resolution 1379 (2001). We note, however, that the report departed from its mandate when it made reference, under situations of concern not included in the list, to a number of countries, including Myanmar. We particularly regret that in addition to the armed insurgent groups in Myanmar, the national armed forces were also referred to - this despite the fact that there is no credible evidence of the use and recruitment of children by the Myanmar Armed Forces.”

   2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source

4. “In congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council, I would also like to thank you for convening a public meeting on children and armed conflict. The situation of children in armed conflict is heart-wrenching. As the Secretary-General's report pointed out, war displaces families and communities, and children are at risk of exploitation and forcible recruitment. This underscores the fact that peace and stability are important, not only for the development of the country concerned but also for the welfare of its population, particularly women and children, which are the most vulnerable groups in conflict situations. As reflected in the Secretary-General's report, impressive gains have been made in codifying international norms and standards for the protection and well-being of children.”

   2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source