No evidence of child violations in Karenni, says Geneva Call

April 2013

A leading international organization, Geneva Call, has said it has found no evidence of violations of child rights in Karenni State under the Karenni National People’s Party (KNPP). The party has also repeatedly called for its removal from a UN list of violators.

After reaching a ceasefire agreement with the U Thein Sein government in March last year, the KNPP signed a Deed of Commitment for the protection of children from the effects of armed conflict, on August 2, 2012, with Geneva Call.

"Even though the KNPP is still on the list as a great violator of child's rights by the UN,  we have not found any such cases in recent times, especially since the actual signing of the Deed of Commitment," said Mr Reno Meyer, program officer with Geneva Call.

To protect children from the impact of armed conflicts, Geneva Call conducted a two-day workshop for the KNPP and community-based organizations in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, on March 5 to 6.

"We have a committee that will focus on development (of the program protecting children from armed conflicts). We have a plan but have not implemented it so far, as there are some unstable political situations and unfinished processing to complete. So, I'd say that we are about to begin," said Khu Nye Reh of the KNPP's central committee.

The Deed of Commitment, Article 16, states that children under the age of 18 must be protected from armed conflicts. One commitments the KNPP must comply with is to further endeavor to provide children in areas where it exercises authority with the aid and care they require, in cooperation with humanitarian or development organizations where appropriate.

"These are the deeds the KNPP has signed. So, they have to sit with their members to discuss  how to implement them effectively. They can promote their organization's dignity by doing this. There will also be some parts that the KNPP itself has to comply with," said Khu Taw Reh, spokesperson of the Karenni Civil Society Network (KCSN).

After signing the ceasefire agreement with the government last year, the KNPP opened three liaison offices and one development liaison office in Kayah State in different locations.

http://ktimes.org/en/news/regional/item/220-no-evidence-of-child-violations-in-karenni-says-geneva-call