A new report published by the UN-appointed independent rights expert for Myanmar, reveals the extent of the military’s abuses against children.

“The junta’s relentless attacks on children underscore the generals’ depravity and willingness to inflict immense suffering on innocent victims in its attempt to subjugate the people of Myanmar,” said Tom Andrews.

“States must take immediate coordinated action to address an escalating political, economic and humanitarian crisis that is putting Myanmar’s children at risk of becoming a lost generation.”

Clear evidence

He pointed to the evidence showing that the children were not only being caught in the crossfire of escalating attacks but were often the targets.

“I received information about children who were beaten, stabbed, burned with cigarettes, and subjected to mock executions, and who had their fingernails and teeth pulled out during lengthy interrogation sessions,” stressed Andrews.

“The junta’s attacks on children constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and other architects of the violence in Myanmar must be held accountable for their crimes against children.”

For the sake of Myanmar’s children, the expert implored Member States, regional organizations, the Security Council, and others to respond to the crisis in Myanmar “with the same urgency they have responded to the crisis in Ukraine.”

He urged coordinated action to alleviate the children’s suffering by increasing pressure on the junta and for States to take stronger action to inhibit its ability to finance atrocities.

“States must pursue stronger targeted economic sanctions and coordinated financial investigations. I urge Member States to commit to a dramatic increase in humanitarian assistance and unequivocal regional support for refugees,” said the Special Rapporteur.

‘Scandalous’ lack of support

The report describes the impact of the military coup on children’s human rights and details the alarming, underreported violence being perpetrated against them.

In a campaign of violence that has touched every corner of the country, soldiers, police officers and military-backed militias have murdered, abducted, detained, and tortured children.

“It is scandalous that the international community has committed only 10 percent of the funds required to implement the Myanmar Humanitarian Response Plan 2022, causing lifesaving programmes for children to be shelved,” he said.

End the suffering

Over the past 16 months, Myanmar’s military has killed at least 142 children; displaced 250,000; and detained over 1,400 arbitrarily, according to the report.

Meanwhile, 142 children have been tortured and at least 61, including several under three, are reportedly being held hostage.

The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that 33,000 children will die preventable deaths this year because they have not received routine immunizations.

Andrews called the lack of Security Council action a moral failure with profound repercussions.

“World leaders, diplomats and donors should ask themselves why the world is failing to do all that can reasonably be done to bring an end to the suffering of the children of Myanmar,” he concluded. (ILKHA)