UN criticized over Myanmar peacekeeping

The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP)—Human Rights Watch criticized the United Nations Thursday for raising the possibility of Myanmar contributing U.N. peacekeepers, describing the nation's military as among the most abusive in the world.

The New York-based group voiced its concerns in a letter to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. It said that despite the democratic opening in the country also known as Burma, its military remains unreformed and continues to use child soldiers.

Vijay Nambiar, Ban's special adviser on Myanmar, raised the issue when he met Myanmar commander-in-chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in late January in the nation's capital Naypyitaw.

"The Burmese military's poor record on rights and civilian protection is profoundly at odds with the standards that U.N. peacekeepers are expected to defend around the world," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. "Any move by the U.N. to recruit Burmese forces risks grave damage to the U.N.'s reputation."

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday that Nambiar's talks with the Myanmar military chief were part of broader discussions Nambiar has been having with Myanmar on its reintegration into the international community.

He said like any U.N. member state, Myanmar was invited to discuss its interest with the U.N. peacekeeping department, which would consider the request. U.N. forces are accountable to the highest standards in training and conduct, and thorough assessments are carried out prior to the acceptance of any uniformed personnel, he said.

Myanmar's diplomatic mission at the U.N. did not respond to a request for comment on whether it was interested in contributing peacekeepers—a potential source of revenue and international prestige.

A U.N report last May cited Myanmar on its list of countries that recruit children to its government forces, although it said Myanmar had made progress. Human Rights Watch said Thursday that while the government has signed an action plan with the U.N. and committed to releasing all child soldiers by the end of 2013, few have been released.

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