A human rights group has called on the Burmese government to take immediate steps to stop using children as soldiers.
Human Rights Watch said Friday that Burma's use child soldiers is not acceptable. It noted a 2002 investigation that found widespread recruitment of children as young as 11 by government forces. The investigation asserted that Burma has the largest number of child soldiers in the world.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child concluded a meeting in Geneva Friday by saying Rangoon is violating international law by recruiting and using children as soldiers. A report from the committee said armed opposition groups in Burma also recruit children.
The report urged the de-mobilizing of all combatants in Burma under the age of 18.