Geneva Call stated it has found no evidence of violations towards minors in Karenni state under the Karenni National People’s Party (KNPP). The KNPP has been repeatedly calling for its removal from a UN list of violators.
After reaching a ceasefire agreement with the government in March of last year, the KNPP signed a Deed of Commitment for the protection of children from the effects of armed conflictwith Geneva Callon August 2, 2012.
"Even though the KNPP is still on the list as a great violator of child's rights by the UN, we have not found any such cases in recent times, especially since the actual signing of the Deed of Commitment," said Reno Meyer, program officer forGeneva Call.
The international organization organized a 2-day workshop on child protection for the KNPP and other community-based organizations in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son.
"We have a committee that will focus on development (related to children protectionin war zones). We have a plan but have not implemented it so far, as there are some unstable political situations and unfinished processing to complete. So, I'd say that we are about to begin," said Khu Nye Reh of the KNPP's central committee.
The Deed of Commitment, Article 16, states that children under the age of 18 must be protected from armed conflicts. It requires for the KNPP to provide children withnecessary aid and care that they require in areas that it exercises authority, in cooperation with humanitarian or development organizations.
"These are the deeds the KNPP has signed. So, they have to sit with their members to discuss how to implement them effectively," said Khu Taw Reh, a spokesperson for the Karenni Civil Society Network (KCSN).
After signing a ceasefire with the government, the KNPP has opened three liaison offices and one development liaison office in Kayah state in several locations.
