A/HRC/31/13
United Nations, the military had discharged 645 underage recruits, and there had been no
new underage recruitment since 2014. All perpetrators, military or civilian, of underage
recruitment were held accountable and penalized under military law and the Penal Code.
126. Myanmar had signed a historic declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in
conflict in June 2014. A domestic law to counter violence against women was in the final
stage of drafting. Civil society organizations would be invited to contribute their views on
the draft. Military officers who committed sexual offences were being dealt with under
relevant laws providing for harsh sentences. The recent nationwide ceasefire agreement
included provisions on refraining from any form of sexual abuse and violence.
127. The peaceful assembly and procession law had been amended in 2014; the penalties
for protest without prior authorization had been reduced by half. Public spaces for peaceful
demonstrations had been designated. Furthermore, the law on registration of associations
had come into effect in 2014; no punishment was prescribed therein. Registration was
voluntary.
128. The President had expressed his unequivocal commitment to hold free, fair and
transparent multiparty general elections on 8 November 2015. Criteria for eligibility for
candidates and voters were clearly set out in the election laws. To run as a candidate, a
person must be a citizen, and his or her parents must both also be citizens. Similarly, only
citizens had the right to vote. Those criteria applied to all candidates regardless of their
political affiliation, race, gender or religion.
129. The central committee for land-use management had been addressing the issues of
land acquisition. The guidelines on returning land to the rightful owners were being
implemented. Farmland tenure certificates had been issued to 95 per cent of all farmers
throughout the country. The national land-use policy was in its final stage of drafting, as a
precursor to enacting a comprehensive national law.
130. Myanmar had been implementing the free and universal primary education
programme. The inclusive education programme, encompassing all students, including
children with disabilities, had been adopted in 2013. Pursuant to the national education law,
the higher education system would be decentralized, and freedom of teaching, learning and
management would be allowed.
131. The ethnic rights protection law of 2015 would broaden the rights of all ethnic
minorities. For example, students in Mon State would be able to study the Mon language,
culture and traditions at local schools during school hours. A plan released in November
2014 was aimed at providing students from ethnic regions with more access to higher
education.
132. The Government would incrementally raise the health budget by 5 per cent of gross
domestic product in 2016. Myanmar was working towards achieving universal health
coverage and reducing the financial burden on the poor and on vulnerable groups. Nine
laws related to health had been promulgated since 2011.
133. In Myanmar, there was no minority community under the name of “Rohingya”.
Peace and stability in Rakhine State had been restored. The communal violence in 2012 had
caused loss of life and property and displacement in both of the communities in Rakhine
State. To investigate the incident, the Government had formed a Commission of Inquiry.
Following the Commission’s finding, a central committee for the implementation of
stability and development in Rakhine State had been established. The committee was
implementing the recommendations of the Commission.
134. The Government had provided food, health care and education services to all
displaced persons. Access was given to over 20 international organizations to provide
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