Sunday, November 25, 2007

Burma Rebel Group Denies Child Soldier Claims

Source: ABC News

An ethnic rebel group waging a decades-long uprising against Burma's military regime has denied a United Nations report saying it recruited child soldiers.

The Karen National Union (KNU), which has battled the government for 57 years in one of the world's longest-running insurgencies, said it had banned the presence of children under 18 in its ranks in 2003.

"Some parts of the [UN secretary-general's] current report, based on data collected in 2005, is no longer relevant," a KNU statement said.

"Accordingly, the KNU and KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army) are no longer involved in the use of child soldiers and violations of child rights."

For the full report, please click here.

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