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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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
“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.”
Aung Ko Htwe told Radio Free Asia he deserted his post in Shan State alongside some fellow servicemen in 2007.
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
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
“Out of each three boys, they had to draw lots to determine which one would have to join the militia.”
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
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 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’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
Burma today discharged 53 underage recruits from its armed forces, but several observers urged a more concrete approach and an end to the practise.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
A compulsory middle school education for all children in Burma would help to eradicate child labour in the country, several educational experts have said.
Watch today’s top stories with Angus Watson.
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.
Watch today’s top stories with Angus Watson.
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
In the first of a two-part special on war crimes, DVB Debate discusses the military’s use of child soldiers.
Analysis Contributor Lead Story News
Children who escape from the Burmese army continue to be detained and treated as adult deserters; and accountability measures have so far failed to deter ongoing underage recruitment despite the fact that it is against the law.
Despite the government signing the joint action plan children continue to be recruited into the Burmese army, according to Child Soldiers International.