NMSP and border groups discuss child protection in armed conflict

September 18, 2013

WCRP: Community-based organizations located in the Thai-Burma border town of Sangkhlaburi met with members of the New Mon State Party, the predominant ethnic Mon resistance group, to discuss commitments the party made in August 2012 upon becoming a signatory to Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment for the protection of children in armed conflict.

In the meeting held on September 9, Nai Bayar Chan Mon of the NMSP’s Military Affairs Committee explained the Deed’s 16 provisions and how his party plans to adhere to commitments that include protection of youth from sexual violence and cruel and inhumane treatment, a complete ban on the use of children in hostilities and the recruitment of child soldiers, and respect for international norms surrounding child rights. In addition, the NMSP agreed to provide shelter, food and education to children displaced by war and to allow Geneva Call to administer monitoring inspections in NMSP controlled areas.

The NMSP Guidance Committee, a liaison group headed by Joint Secretary 1 Nai Aung Min, attended the event along with Nai Soe Mon and Nai Ram from local border areas, Research and Strategy Officer Major Nai Thiri Mon Chan, and Nai Nyan Tun who facilitated the discussions.

During the meeting’s question and answer section the Coordinator of the Women and Child Rights Project, Mi Sauh Ta Jo, asked how the NMSP intended to work on childprotection issues and how community-based groups could collaborate with the party to advance these goals. Joint Secretary 1 Nai Aung Min responded that while the NMSP does not directly work on child rights as part of their routine activities, they encourage children not to participate in armed conflict and advocate against the recruitment of child soldiers by armed groups.

“We consider anyone under 18 to be a child. We in the NMSP respect and uphold child rights and must ensure development, education, and healthcare for children. Additionally, we should know that child labor is a violation of child rights. If you want to work for child protection in armed conflict with the NMSP I recommend you contact our military office directly.”

Geneva Call, a humanitarian organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, established its “Deed of Commitment for the protection of children from the effects of armed conflicts” as part of their efforts to improve armed non-state actors’ adherence to international humanitarian and human rights laws.

After becoming a signatory in August last year an NMSP committee met with Mr. Chris Rush, Geneva Call’s Senior Programme Officer for Asia, on November 5 to negotiate the inclusion of child rights protections in Mon law. Members of the NMSP and its judiciary plan to jointly draft the amendments prior to the party’s next big conference in 2015.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News