To read the version in Burmese, click here.

On 19 March 2014 in Geneva, representatives from the Burma/Myanmar armed non-State actor -  the Chin National Front (CNF) and its armed wing the Chin National Army (CNA) – signed Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment protecting children in armed conflict and the Deed of Commitment prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict and against gender discrimination.

The CNF/CNA, which signed a ceasefire with the Government in 2012, has been fighting for more autonomy for the Chin people – an ethnic group living in the north west of the country – for more than three decades.

In signing these two Deeds of Commitment, the CNF/CNA commits to the highest international norms in terms of child protection and prohibition of sexual violence. In particular, the CNF/CNA pledges not to allow children under 18 to be recruited or used in hostilities and to strive to protect them from the effects of conflict. In a region where cases of sexual violence have often been reported, the CNF/CNA also reaffirms its determination to strictly prohibit any forms of sexual violence and to involve women in decision-making and in the on-going peace process. [...]  

>> Read more

On 12 March, following discussions initiated by Geneva Call, the European Parliament unanimously passed a recommendation to the European Council to support the engagement of armed non-State actors on child protection in armed conflict. The recommendation urges the European Commission to encourage the signing of action plans for the protection of children in armed conflict by concerned States and armed non-State actors, and adherence by armed non-State actors to Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment protecting children in armed conflict.

Once again, the European Parliament has highlighted the need for humanitarian engagement of armed non-State actors to achieve better protection of children in armed conflict. [...]

>> Read more