Nai Hongsa Poung Khine confirms to IMNA that the NMSP and KNPP already signed the ‘Deep of Commitment under Geneva Call for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict” on 2nd June.

Accordingly to the agreement, NMSP and KNPP have to take responsibility to not recruit any children under 18 into armed force and additionally to protect these children to not suffer from any types of effects because of conflict. Nai Hongsa Poung Khine, that they signed DoC in front of Geneva Call President, Ms. Elisabeth Decrey Warner.

Geneva Call is an international organization working on ‘humanitarian engagement with many non-state actors (NSAs)’ or ‘armed rebel groups’ around the world. The organization bases in Geneva of Switzerland.

NMSP delegate was led by Vice Chief of Command of Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), Brigadier General. Layeh Gakaung. Both military commander and Nai Hongsa Poung Khine, signed the agreement.

Nai Hongsa Poung Khine said that, “NMSP and MNLA was committing to protect the children in the conflict zone. That was our evidence to not use the child soldiers and protect children”.

KNPP delegate was led by General Secretary 1 Khuu Oo Reh and a Central Committee member, Ree Manh Htoo.

Accordingly to agreement of DoC, NMSP and KNPP agrees for 16 points of agreement related to no recruitment on child soldiers, human treatment toward children, no cruel and inhumane treatment against children, and providing shelters, foods and educations to children those fled from war.

Prior to NMSP and KNPP, two small armed groups from Burma, Pa-oh National Liberation Organization (PNLO) and Palaung National Liberation Organiation (PSLO) also signed DoC early this year.

Accordingly to UN report on child soldiers and Human Rights Watch, the Burma government’s Burmese Army has still recruited child soldiers into its army.

Accordingly to agreement, Geneva Call will set up a system of monitoring in their areas on the treatment toward children.