CRC/C/15/Add.237
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(b)
Prioritize the demobilization and reintegration of all combatants under 18;
(c)
Continue to take measures to ensure that all military recruits meet the
minimum age recruitment of 18 years and that they enter voluntarily;
(d)
Ensure that all armed groups reintegrated into the national armed forces
adhere to the minimum age of recruitment of 18 years;
(e)
Develop, in collaboration with NGOs and international organizations, a
comprehensive system of psychosocial support and assistance for children affected by the
conflict, in particular child combatants, unaccompanied internally displaced persons and
refugees, returnees and landmine survivors, while ensuring their privacy;
(f)
Take effective measures to ensure that children affected by the conflict can
be reintegrated into the education system, including through non-formal education
programmes and by prioritizing the restoration of school buildings and facilities and the
provision of water, sanitation and electricity in conflict-affected areas; and
(g)
Seek in this regard technical assistance from, inter alia, UNICEF.
Economic exploitation, including child labour
68.
The Committee notes that the 1993 Child Law prohibits child labour, but is deeply
concerned that economic exploitation is extremely widespread in Myanmar and that children
may be working long hours at young ages, with very negative impacts on their development and
school attendance. While noting the adoption of a joint Plan of Action for the Elimination of
Forced Labour with ILO, the appointment in 2002 of an ILO Liaison Officer and the recent
appointment of the ILO Facilitator, the Committee is extremely concerned at practices of forced
labour among children, notably those organized by the armed forces.
69.
In line with its previous recommendations (ibid., paras. 42 and 43), the Committee
strongly recommends that the State party:
(a)
Adopt and implement a comprehensive national plan of action to prevent
and combat child labour;
(b)
Amend, where necessary, and strengthen the implementation of the labour
laws, notably through prosecution of those who make use of forced labour, and increase the
number and quality of labour inspectors;
(c)
Consider ratifying and implementing the ILO Minimum Age Convention,
1973 (No. 138) and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182);
(d)
Continue to seek assistance from ILO through the joint Plan of Action for
the Elimination of Forced Labour, the ILO Liaison Officer and the ILO Facilitator, whose
work should begin without delay, ensuring that clear and effective communication is
reinstated with ILO.