Young protestors in Myanmar must be afforded special protection

On 1 February 2021, a State of Emergency was declared in Myanmar following the military seizure of power. In the weeks since mass protests have taken place across the country. Many individuals taking to the streets are children and young people, peacefully expressing their opinions. In recent days, security forces have escalated their actions on peaceful protestors, with children and young people being killed, seriously injured and arrested. Children and young people are afforded special protection under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and their safety must be prioritised and safeguarded. ChildFund strongly urges the security forces to refrain from continued use of violence against all peaceful protestors, especially children and young people, to prevent further harm. During this extremely difficult period, ChildFund stands in solidarity with children, young people, their families, and civil society in their fight for democracy in Myanmar.