SPDC Orders Mobilization of Child Soldiers

SPDC Orders Mobilization of Child Soldiers

20 July 1999, Lashio. Sources reported that the Burmese high command has issued orders in mid-June to induct and train boys between 12 and 18.

Maj-Gen (Thura) Tin Aung Myint Oo, Commander of the Northeastern Command, with headquarters in Lashio, Northern Shan State, issued a directive which contained the following interesting points:

• To teach the Ye Nyunt Youth members only primary school education;
  [N.B. Ye Nyunt literally means "Brave Sprout"]

• To train them for reserve force;

• To give boys between 12 and 18 full military training in order to be prepared for mobilization at any time;

• Those who continue their schools must join the army when they are 18. Otherwise, they shall need to enter the Nationalities Development Institute in Sagaing (Northern Burma), after necessary bonds have been signed.

• Those who refuse to join either the army or the Institute shall be promptly expelled;

• Only those who profess Buddhism shall be inducted and they shall be ordained as novices during summer holidays;

• Those who profess other religions shall be induced to join the Buddhist fold. Those that refuse to shall be expelled;

• All members of the Ye Nyunt Youth shall be Buddhists. Units stationed near the Ye Nyunt camp shall be manned by religious commissioned and non-commissioned officers;

• All Ye Nyunt Youth centers shall submit regular monthly progress reports;

• All local military commands must maintain constant supervision for the Ye Nyunt Youth.

• "The above directive confirms that the SPDC only wants fighters for their whatever cause" said a source. "They don't care what happens to them when they grow up".

There are Ye Nyunt Youth centers, providing bed, board and schooling for orphaned and poor boys, in Lashio, Tangyan, Kutkhai and Kunlong. The program began since the days of the present junta's predecessor, the Burma Socialist Program Party. "Initially, it was to recruit and train boys only between 14 and 16 for the reserve", the source added.