UN welcomes release of dozens of children from Myanmar army

The United Nations welcomed the release of 68 children and young people from Myanmar's armed forces Tatmadaw, a spokesperson said here on Wednesday.

"This development follows a recent release of 42 children and young people one month ago," UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky said at a daily news briefing, noting that it is the latest of four such releases under an action plan agreed between a UN team on the ground and the Myanmar government.

The latest release brought the total number of children and young people freed by Tatmadaw from last month's 110 to 178. The list also includes 42 children set free in September 2012, 24 children in February 2013, and 42 children and young people in July 2013.

Myanmar and the United Nations signed last June a landmark agreement on the release of children from the country's armed forces. The action plan lays out concrete measures to ensure the separation of children from the army and to prevent further recruitment of children under age.