Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Dr. Thant Zaw Lwin, has called for strengthened coordination to ensure that information on violations against children is obtained in a timely manner and that effective responses can be implemented.
He made the remarks during the first coordination meeting of the Committee for the Prevention of Grave Violations Against Children in Armed Conflict for 2026, held on June 30 at the Department of Rehabilitation's meeting hall. The meeting was attended by Dr. Thant Zaw Lwin, who chairs the committee, along with committee members and officials from relevant ministries.
In his opening remarks, the deputy minister said Myanmar has been implementing Article 38 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which the country ratified in 1991. The article calls for preventing the recruitment and use of children as soldiers and ensuring protection and care for children affected by armed conflict.
He added that, in line with the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, ratified by Myanmar in 2019, and the Myanmar Child Rights Law (2019), which is based on the principle of the best interests of the child, the government has been implementing a national action plan aimed at preventing the killing and maiming of children as well as conflict-related sexual violence against children.
Dr. Thant Zaw Lwin said that as the ministry responsible for implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it will continue working to ensure that all children enjoy equal rights without discrimination under any circumstances, in accordance with the convention's fundamental principles.
He stressed that committee members should work together across their respective sectors to safeguard the best interests of children affected by grave violations during armed conflict, including their survival, development, protection, and participation in society.
The deputy minister also emphasized that preventive measures and accountability efforts must continue under the government's Zero Tolerance Policy toward grave violations against children in armed conflict. He further called for continuous coordination to enable the timely collection of information on violations against children and to ensure effective responses.
He encouraged participants to actively share their experience and expertise through constructive discussions.
Following the opening session, committee members presented reports and recommendations from their respective sectors. The deputy minister reviewed the discussions and outlined future work plans for the committee.
