Summary: "The widespread recruitment and use of children by state armed forces and armed groups in Myanmar has been documented by the UN and human rights organisations for over a decade. Armed conflict between the state and numerous armed ethnic groups has provided the violent backdrop against which child recruitment and other grave violations of human rights have occurred. Children have been drawn into participation in all sides of the armed conflicts not just as a result of militarisation of societies but by socioeconomic compulsions. The pressure to maintain and strengthen troop numbers in the armed forces and armed groups has been a key driver in ongoing underage recruitment. Political reforms and the signing of ceasefire agreements with various ethnic armed groups have led to some progress in the security and human rights situation in recent years. These changes, together with an increased level of engagement between Myanmar and the international community, have created an unprecedented opportunity to properly resolve longstanding problems of underage recruitment and use. Research conducted by Child Soldiers International demonstrates the need for the Government of Myanmar to adopt further and more effective measures if it is to fulfil its stated commitment towards the eradication of child recruitment and use. While regulations and military instructions have been adopted as a part of the Myanmar government?s 2012 Joint Action Plan (JAP) with the UN for the prevention of the recruitment and use of children and their discharge and rehabilitation, the Myanmar military needs to urgently implement measures - including oversight mechanisms - to ensure that children are not recruited and used and that all those unlawfully recruited are promptly discharged. International pressure and assistance can play a significant role in assisting the Myanmar government and the military to address child soldier recruitment and use. Prevention of the recruitment and use of children should be a core principle of international assistance provided to Myanmar, including technical assistance being offered to professionalise the armed forces."