Myanmar returns over 1,000 child soldiers to families in more than a decade

File photo of children from the Karen National Union insurgent army in January 2000. - AFP

PHNOM PENH: Myanmar has discharged over one thousand child soldiers and returned them to their families over the last decade, while steps are being taken to prevent the recruitment of minors into the military service.

The state media, The Global New Light of Myanmar, on Friday (Sept 26) reported that between 2012 and this year, 1,152 underage soldiers mistakenly recruited were withdrawn from the army services and sent back to their parents.