Myanmar

The Myanmar Armed Forces, known as the Tatmadaw Kyi (‘Tatmadaw’), including integrated border guard forces, are listed for recruitment and use, killing and maiming, and rape and other forms of sexual violence in the annexes of the Secretary-General’s (SG) latest annual report on children and armed conflict (CAAC). After being removed from the list for recruitment and use last year, despite continuing violations, the Tatmadaw was re-listed for this violation after a more than 350 percent increase in verified cases from 2019 (205) to 2020 (726). Following the February 1 military coup, the SG’s Special Representatives for CAAC and on Violence against Children, UNICEF, and others have expressed alarm at the number of children who have been killed, injured, or arbitrarily detained, as well as widespread attacks on schools, health facilities, and protected personnel. More than 200 organizations have called on the Security Council to impose a comprehensive global arms embargo on Myanmar to help prevent further human rights violations. According to a statement by the UN Child Rights Committee, since the military coup, 75 children have been killed, about 1,000 arbitrarily detained, and countless more exposed to indiscriminate violence and deprived of essential medical care and education. Access to and delivery of humanitarian assistance remains heavily restricted – additionally concerning amidst a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. The Security Council should:

• Strongly condemn all ongoing grave violations of children’s rights in Myanmar, call for perpetrators to be held accountable, and demand that all parties uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law (IHRL);
• Call on the Tatmadaw to continue implementing the 2012 joint action plan on non-recruitment of children, to immediately end the recruitment and use of children including in non-combat roles, and urge all listed parties to sign and implement joint action plans with the UN to end and prevent grave violations, including the Tatmadaw for sexual violence and killing and maiming;
• Urge the immediate release of all detained children, recalling that children should only be detained as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate time, per the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC);
• Call for an immediate cessation of attacks on schools, health facilities, and protected personnel, and urge the Tatmadaw to end all military use of such facilities and to ensure that attacks on these institutions and related protected personnel are investigated and that perpetrators are duly prosecuted;
• Reiterate calls for safe and unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all civilians in need, including children.

The United Kingdom is the lead country on Myanmar.

This information is based on Watchlist’s Children and Armed Conflict Monthly Update: August 2021.

In March 2025, the Secretary-General published his seventh report on the situation of children and armed conflict in Myanmar (S/2025/81), covering the period from July 2020 to December 2023. The previous report on Myanmar was issued in 2020; however, the Working Group was unable to adopt conclusions at that time or in the interim. During this reporting period, the UN verified 5,141 grave violations against 4,089 children (3,238 boys, 721 girls, 130 of unknown sex). Recruitment and use (2,195) was the most prevalent verified violation, followed by killing and maiming (1,635) and abduction (519). The Myanmar armed forces, including related forces and affiliated militias, were responsible for nearly 80 percent of all verified violations. Armed attacks killed 470 children and maimed 1,165, with explosive weapons accounting for most casualties. The UN also verified 288 attacks on schools and hospitals, 497 incidents of denial of humanitarian access, 256 cases of detention, and 25 cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, though underreporting remains a concern. The number of grave violations increased more than fourfold compared to the previous reporting period, including increased use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Widespread insecurity, access restrictions, and disruptions to telecommunications severely impacted monitoring and verification efforts, suggesting the true scale of violations is significantly higher. The Working Group should: 

• Strongly condemn all grave violations and abuses that continue to be committed against children in Myanmar, and demand that all parties uphold their obligations under IHL and IHRL; 
• Call on the Myanmar armed forces to implement the 2012 joint action plan on non-recruitment of children, to immediately end all grave violations against children, and urge all listed parties to sign and implement joint action plans with the UN to end and prevent grave violations; 
• Urge the National Unity Government to develop a prevention plan with the UN, and urge People’s Defence Forces and local defence groups to engage with the UN to adopt measures to protect children; 
• Urge all armed groups to immediately release all children under 18 from their ranks and end and prevent all child recruitment and use; reiterate that children associated with armed forces and groups should be treated primarily as victims, and their reintegration should be prioritized; 
• Call on all parties to take immediate and specific steps to end and prevent rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, including by ensuring perpetrators are held accountable and that survivors have access to comprehensive, gender-sensitive, and age-appropriate response and protection; 
• Reiterate calls for safe, timely, and unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected populations, including children, which is imperative in the aftermath of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025; 
• Call on all parties to immediately cease attacks and threats of attack on educational and health facilities and personnel, as well as to refrain from the military use of schools. 

This information is based on Watchlist’s Children and Armed Conflict Monthly Update: May 2025.

Year listed: 2003
Action Plans signed: Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw Kyi) – recruitment and use of children (June 2012) *Delisted for recruitment and use in 2020, despite UN verification of continued cases, including at least 205 children recruited and used in 2019. Remains listed for killing and maiming and rape and other forms of sexual violence; Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Karenni Army (KA) have sought to conclude an action plan but the United Nations has been prevented from doing so by the Government of Myanmar.
Sanctions Committee: No
Secretary-General’s reports on CAAC in Myanmar: 2018; 2017; 2013; 2009; 2007
Security Council Working Group conclusions on Myanmar: 2019; 2013; 2009; 2008