Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON815
2009-12-21 10:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: ILO REPORTS STRICTER PUNISHMENTS FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO1690 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO DE RUEHGO #0815 3551007 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211007Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9686 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2364 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5858 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9424 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 7043 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 2385 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2792 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000815
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM KTIP
SUBJECT: BURMA: ILO REPORTS STRICTER PUNISHMENTS FOR
CHILD-SOLDIER RECRUITMENT
Classified By: Political Officer Brian Andrews for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d
)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000815
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM KTIP
SUBJECT: BURMA: ILO REPORTS STRICTER PUNISHMENTS FOR
CHILD-SOLDIER RECRUITMENT
Classified By: Political Officer Brian Andrews for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d
)
1. (C) Rangoon-based International Labor Organization (ILO)
representative Steve Marshall told us December 21 that the
GOB has dismissed a captain from the military (presumably via
court-martial) and sentenced him to one year imprisonment in
a civilian jail with hard labor for child-soldier
recruitment. In the same case, two privates were sentenced
to three months and one month military imprisonment with hard
labor, respectively, and a sergeant and a warrant officer
both lost 12 months' seniority for pension and promotion
rights. After completing their sentences, the privates can
return to the military, but the captain has been permanently
discharged. Marshall called the case a "breakthrough," the
first in which a member of the military was discharged and
sentenced to civilian prison for recruiting child-soldiers.
Child Recruited Twice; ILO Assisted Both Times
-------------- -
2. (C) Marshall reported that the case involved a child who
was first recruited when he was eleven. His parents
solicited assistance from ILO, and ILO successfully pressed
the GOB to discharge him. The child was recruited again two
months later. The child informed his captors that he had
previously been discharged, but they did not believe him and
subsequently beat him repeatedly. ILO resubmitted the case
and "kept the pressure on" until he was released, according
to Marshall. The GOB informed ILO of the jail sentences on
November 30.
Stricter Punishments for Child-Soldier Recruitment
-------------- --------------
3. (C) Marshall stated that in the past, the military would
only issue reprimands in child-soldier recruiting cases. He
noted punishments have increased in severity in 2009. As of
December 16, 2009, a total of three military personnel have
received reprimands, 16 have received serious reprimands,
four have been subject to salary deductions, and one has lost
12 months' seniority for pension and promotion rights, in
addition to the five penalized individuals mentioned above.
DINGER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM KTIP
SUBJECT: BURMA: ILO REPORTS STRICTER PUNISHMENTS FOR
CHILD-SOLDIER RECRUITMENT
Classified By: Political Officer Brian Andrews for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d
)
1. (C) Rangoon-based International Labor Organization (ILO)
representative Steve Marshall told us December 21 that the
GOB has dismissed a captain from the military (presumably via
court-martial) and sentenced him to one year imprisonment in
a civilian jail with hard labor for child-soldier
recruitment. In the same case, two privates were sentenced
to three months and one month military imprisonment with hard
labor, respectively, and a sergeant and a warrant officer
both lost 12 months' seniority for pension and promotion
rights. After completing their sentences, the privates can
return to the military, but the captain has been permanently
discharged. Marshall called the case a "breakthrough," the
first in which a member of the military was discharged and
sentenced to civilian prison for recruiting child-soldiers.
Child Recruited Twice; ILO Assisted Both Times
-------------- -
2. (C) Marshall reported that the case involved a child who
was first recruited when he was eleven. His parents
solicited assistance from ILO, and ILO successfully pressed
the GOB to discharge him. The child was recruited again two
months later. The child informed his captors that he had
previously been discharged, but they did not believe him and
subsequently beat him repeatedly. ILO resubmitted the case
and "kept the pressure on" until he was released, according
to Marshall. The GOB informed ILO of the jail sentences on
November 30.
Stricter Punishments for Child-Soldier Recruitment
-------------- --------------
3. (C) Marshall stated that in the past, the military would
only issue reprimands in child-soldier recruiting cases. He
noted punishments have increased in severity in 2009. As of
December 16, 2009, a total of three military personnel have
received reprimands, 16 have received serious reprimands,
four have been subject to salary deductions, and one has lost
12 months' seniority for pension and promotion rights, in
addition to the five penalized individuals mentioned above.
DINGER