Shans bow to CRC

Shans bow to CRC

A 3-day people's seminar that ended yesterday (3 February) resolved, among other decisions, to change the draft age in accordance with the international convention on children's rights. 

The 2nd seminar of the Shan State people held at Loi Taileng, the headquarters of the Restoration Council of Shan State and Shan State Army, opposite Pang Mapha District, Maehongson Province, and attended by 150 representatives from southern and eastern Shan State and 20 officials from the RCSS/SSA unanimously passed the resolution that the draft age would henceforth be 18-45 in place of 16-40 as practiced earlier. 

"It is to demonstrate to the people of the world that the people of Shan State defer to their wishes" said Sai Aung Mart, Vice President of the RCSS, referring to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) that was ratified by the United Nations in November 1989. 

According to the Convention, a child means every human being below the age of 18. State parties are required to refrain from recruiting any person under 18 into their armed forces. 

Burma is a signatory to the Convention but its myriad armies, especially the Tatmadaw of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, have been charged by human rights activists as violating the CRC's Article 38 with regards to child soldiers. 

Sai Aung Mart said he welcomed international observers to visit the Shan State to verify the results of the resolution. 

Loi Taileng contains 110 boys under 18 under the Army's care who live in barracks and go to the public school in the camp. One of the officers told S.H.A.N. they would be kept there until they reach the age of 18. 

The first seminar was held on 21-23 February last year.