Tuesday, 15 April 2025
The escalation of the conflict and deterioration of the security situation in Myanmar, especially since the military seized power in February 2021, has had a devastating impact on children and their protection. A report covering the period from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2023 shows an over 400% increase in grave violations against children compared to the previous report. Grave violations against children significantly increased due to the spread of violence across the entire country and the emergence of new armed actors.
The report, the seventh of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Myanmar, is published as the country is still deeply impacted by the devastating earthquake that took place on 28 March 2025, multiplying the suffering and needs of millions of people, including children, already facing immense humanitarian need. Even before the disaster, at least 5.8 million[1] children needed humanitarian assistance due to ongoing conflict, severe restrictions and impediments on humanitarian assistance, climatic disasters, displacement, and economic hardship, the report shows.
Some 5,141 grave violations against 4,089 children were verified during the reporting period and the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF), its related forces and affiliated militias were responsible for close to 80% of the verified violations, while 10 % per cent were attributed to armed groups, including the People’s Defence Forces/local defence groups and ethnic armed organizations.
The recruitment and use of almost 2,200 children was the most verified grave violations, accounting for 40% of all grave violations, followed by the killing and maiming of children, accounting for 30% of the total, and abduction. The Special Representative expressed particular concern at the recruitment and use of children, especially at the large numbers by the Myanmar Armed Forces, and urged them to continue their engagement with the United Nations in the framework of the joint action plan to end this practice.
“I’m shocked at the level of violence endured by the children of Myanmar and by the sharp increase in grave violations committed by all parties to the conflict, in particular by the Myanmar Armed Forces, including related forces and affiliated militias. I urge parties to uphold their responsibilities under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including the special protections afforded to children. I further call on all parties to conflict to end and prevent grave violations against children and ensure accountability of perpetrators,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba.
255 children were detained by the MAF and the Myanmar Police Force for their alleged association with armed groups since the military takeover and until the end of December 2023, representing a 1,175% increase compared to the previous report. The Special Representative calls on the Myanmar Armed Forces to immediately release children from detention, hand them over to civilian actors in line with international juvenile justice standards, and implement the July 2019 Child Rights Law.
“Children allegedly associated with armed groups should be treated primarily as victims, and detention should be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible time. Ensuring their rehabilitation and reintegration through specialized age- and gender-sensitive programs is crucial,” she emphasized.
Child casualties were mainly caused by the use of explosive ordnance in populated areas, and of concern is the staggering surge in casualties resulting from landmines and explosive remnants of war, with 1,052 casualties reported nationwide in 2023 only. The Special Representative urges the international community to support explosive ordnance risk education and clearance programmes, which save lives, and to provide victim assistance, including life-saving medical interventions.
The United Nations reported a pattern of excessive use of force and indiscriminate attacks by the Myanmar Armed and Police Forces, involving indiscriminate airstrikes, indiscriminate use of heavy weapons such as artillery shells, indiscriminate use of light arms, and civilian property burning incidents, affecting children and causing a surge in forced displacement.
Attacks on schools and hospitals increased shockingly by 1,340% to reach 288 incidents compared with the previous reporting period, resulting in impaired children’s access to education and health services.
Rakhine was by far the state with the highest number of grave violations, followed by Sagaing, Shan, and Kachin. While humanitarian access in 2020 was already challenging, especially in Rakhine, Shan, Kachin and southern Chin states, the situation steadily worsened following the military takeover in 2021, particularly in newly affected areas, with a dramatic escalation in humanitarian needs. The Special Representative calls upon the MAF and all other parties and to allow access for the United Nations to all conflict-affected areas for the purposes of monitoring and reporting of grave violations against children.
Limited Progress for Children
The progress undertaken with the then Government slowed down after February 2021 while the engagement with the Myanmar Armed Forces continued, though in a limited manner. The Special Representative reiterates the call of the Secretary-General for the MAF to adopt a joint action plan with the United Nations to end and prevent the killing and maiming of children, sexual violence against children as well as attacks on schools and hospitals, and abductions.
An action plan was signed with the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) in November 2020, the first Action Plan of its kind with an armed group in Myanmar to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children.
262 children were released from armed forces and groups during the reporting period, including 189 by the Myanmar Armed Forces, and they received reintegration support. In March 2025, the release of 93 individuals recruited as children by the Myanmar Armed Forces is a noteworthy step towards the implementation of the 2012 joint action plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children signed with the United Nations. The Special Representative calls on the international community to provide financial support to reintegration programmes to address the humanitarian needs of children affected by conflict and facilitate access to education and health services. She reiterated the availability of the United Nations to support regional partners in engaging with Myanmar.
Grave violations against children in Myanmar between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2023
5,141 grave violations against 4,089 children (3,238 boys, 721 girls, 130 sex unknown)
Recruitment and use: 2,195 children
Killing (470) and maiming (1,165) of 1,635 children
Rape and other forms of sexual violence: 6 girls and 1 boy
Attacks on schools and hospitals: 288 (schools: 211; hospitals: 77).
Abduction: 519 children
Denial of humanitarian access: 497 incidents
[1] Data from December 2023