Child soldier case: verdict next week, says judge
Court proceedings were interrupted by defendant Aung Ko Htwe shouting that he refused to accept “a cow judge” and that he does not recognise the judicial system.
Tagged: child soldiers
Final arguments due in incitement case against former child soldier
The long-running trial of a former child soldier charged with public incitement looks to be nearing an end as a judge in Yangon said at a hearing on Tuesday that final arguments in the case will be heard on 20 March.
Judge sentences former child soldier to 6 months in prison for contempt of court
A former child soldier charged with public incitement was sentenced to six months in prison for an additional contempt of court charge at a hearing on Wednesday, as his trial over the initial alleged transgression continued.
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Former child soldier says he will boycott future court proceedings
A former child soldier charged with public incitement told a Yangon court on Wednesday that he would boycott future trial proceedings, saying he no longer had faith in the judicial system’s ability to render a fair verdict.
Incitement trial against former child soldier will continue, judge rules
Hopes that the judge presiding over a controversial court case involving a former child soldier would drop the incitement charge brought against him were dashed on Wednesday as the magistrate decided to allow the prosecution to proceed.
US’ Tillerson accused of breaching Child Soldiers Act
Several U.S. State Department officials accuse the Secretary of State of failing to curtail the enlistment of child soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Burma.
Lead Story Military News Rangoon
Judge skips bail ruling in ex-child soldier trial
“It is worth questioning the judge’s rationale,” Zaw Min Hlaing said. “She could clearly make a decision today but decided to skip to the next hearing.”
Ex-child soldier trial gets underway in Rangoon
Aung Ko Htwe told Radio Free Asia he deserted his post in Shan State alongside some fellow servicemen in 2007.
Trial postponed for former child soldier facing military criminal complaint
A preliminary hearing for a former child soldier accused of possibly inciting the public for telling his story of forced conscription as a minor was postponed on Friday as the defendant’s lawyer asked the court for more time to prepare for the case.
Conflict Lead Story Military News
Child soldiers: Burma no longer a worst offender, says USA
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to remove Iraq and Burma from a US list of the world’s worst offenders in the use of child soldiers.
Ethnic issues Lead Story Military News
Manpang People’s Militia conscripting youths in Shan State
“Out of each three boys, they had to draw lots to determine which one would have to join the militia.”
Mental pain endures for former child soldiers
Burma has joined 105 other countries who have already signed up to principles and guidelines drawn up in 2007 on child fighters and their social reintegration.
Human Rights Human Trafficking Lead Story News
Moulmein activists uncover child servant abuses
The 14-year-old was too scared to talk, saying she had spilt boiling water on herself by accident.
Shan army accused of forced recruitment
The Shan State Army-South has recently been engaged in clashes against the Ta’ang National Liberation Army.
Foreign Affairs Human Trafficking Lead Story News
US trafficking downgrade ‘regrettable’, says govt
Burma’s government expresses concern that a US State Department decision to downgrade the country’s status in an annual report on human trafficking could hamper bilateral relations.
Human Rights Human Trafficking Lead Story News
Burma down, Thailand up on US human trafficking list
Burma now ranks with Uzbekistan, Sudan and Haiti at the bottom of a list of nations criticised by the US government for failing to do enough to end human trafficking.
Burma military frees 46 child soldiers
Burma’s military released 46 children and young people from service, the United Nations said in a statement on Monday, in its first discharge of underage recruits this year.
Conflict Lead Story Military News
International voices call for more action on child soldiers
Burma today discharged 53 underage recruits from its armed forces, but several observers urged a more concrete approach and an end to the practise.
51 minors released by Burmese army
The latest release of 51 underage recruits has been commended internationally as a positive step forwards in the eradication of child soldiers worldwide.
Conflict Lead Story News Politics
277 servicemen punished for child soldier recruitment
Fifty officers are among those who have had action taken against them for recruiting child soldiers, according to the Deputy Home Affairs Minister.
Analysis Lead Story News Peace Process
Child soldiers and Burma’s long road to reform
As the latest group of child soldiers are released from Burma’s military, challenges still exist for those at-risk in the face of the country’s much lauded reforms.
Pa-Oh army pledges to protect children
The Pa-Oh National Liberation Army (PNLA) pledged to protect children from the effects of armed conflict by signing a “Deed of Commitment” on 17 November.
Eighty child soldiers released from Burmese army
A ceremony was held in Rangoon on Monday for 80 underage soldiers who have been released from duty in the Burmese army and allowed to go home.
Human Rights Lead Story News Politics
Respect children’s rights, say CSOs
Marking International Children’s Day on 20 November, 230 groups write to President Thein Sein, calling on him to implement and respect Burma’s commitments to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Education Labour Issues Lead Story News
Education would help stop child labour, say experts
A compulsory middle school education for all children in Burma would help to eradicate child labour in the country, several educational experts have said.
Bullet Points: 19 August 2014
Watch today’s top stories with Angus Watson.
Route home blocked for child soldiers
A full two years after the Burmese government pledged to release all children from military service, many young victims of underage recruitment remain trapped in the army’s ranks.
Bullet Points: 1 August 2014
Watch today’s top stories with Angus Watson.
Burmese army releases 91 child soldiers: UNICEF
Ninety-one persons under the age of 18 were released on Friday from Burma’s armed forces, but an analysts says the military’s recruitment policy is largely unchanged.
DVB Debate Lead Story News Politics Video
DVB Debate: Child soldiers are victims of war crimes
In the first of a two-part special on war crimes, DVB Debate discusses the military’s use of child soldiers.
