UNICEF Seeks Release of Detained Rohingya Children in Myanmar
Local Editor
A top official from the UN children's fund [UNICEF] sought the release of Rohingya children detained in a Myanmar army crackdown on the Muslim minority, the organization's country representative said Monday.
Children as young as 10 were among hundreds of Rohingya detained on alleged charges of consorting with insurgents, Reuters revealed last month, citing a previously unreleased police document.
Thirteen juveniles were among more than 400 arrested since Oct. 9, when insurgents reportedly attacked three police border posts in northern Rakhine State near the frontier with Bangladesh, according to the March 7 document.
However, a United Nations report issued earlier this year said Myanmar's security forces had committed mass killings and gang rapes against Rohingya during their campaign against the insurgents, which may amount to crimes against humanity.
Although the United Nations agreed last month to send an international fact-finding mission to investigate the allegations, Myanmar opposed the move.
The Southeast Asian nation supposedly ratified international conventions that require additional protections for children accused of crimes.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
