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             Burma Releases 42 Child Soldiers, Vows to End Practice

   by VOA News

   The Burmese military has released 42 child soldiers from its ranks, as
   part of efforts to end the recruitment of underage fighters in the
   Southeast Asian country.
   The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper says army officials handed
   the children over to their parents and guardians at a ceremony in
   Rangoon on Monday.
   The newspaper says Burmese officials also have vowed to rid the armed
   forces of all child soldiers within 18 months, in accordance with a
   United Nations agreement signed in June.
   The U.N. says at least eight other armed groups, apart from the
   government armed forces, recruit and use child soldiers in Burma,
   including several rebel and separatist groups.
   Since taking power last year, Burma's nominally civilian government has
   undertaken several reforms, including easing media restrictions,
   allowing more freedom to opposition groups, and releasing hundreds of
   political prisoners.
   But rights groups and activists have said that, despite the political
   and economic reforms, there have been no significant changes in human
   rights abuses carried out by Burma's military, particularly in
   rebel-dominated areas.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/burma_releases_42_child_soldiers_vows
   _to_end_practice/1502028.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/burma_releases_42_child_soldiers_vows_to_end_practice/1502028.html