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Sat, 20:29 17 May 2008 GMT17

 
Myanmar

A 12-year-old soldier in the Karen rebel army. REUTERS/Jason Reed (Jan. 2000)

Myanmar has the highest number of forcibly conscripted child soldiers in the world, rights activists say. The government is attacking ethnic Karen minority villages forcing many thousands to flee. Refugees say the military has shot children.

  • Some 70,000 children make up a fifth of Myanmar's army (Human Rights Watch).

  • Many have been forced to commit atrocities against ethnic minorities (HRW).

  • Rebel groups are also accused of recruiting child fighters.

  • Children and teenagers are used for forced labour and portering.

  • Thousands of children are living as refugees in Thailand, India and Bangladesh.

  • Many others are hiding in the jungle with no food after fleeing attacks.

"I have no idea where my parents are now." Dang, 18, now living in a camp after escaping an army raid on his village.


To find out more see our Myanmar crisis briefing.



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