UNITED NATIONS: Myanmar should release all its child soldiers and allow UN officials to verify government claims that officers have been punished for recruiting minors into the army, the UN chief said.

There are credible reports that Myanmar’s army continues to recruit children under 18 despite an official prohibition of the practice, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his report on Friday to the UN Security Council.

Recruiters often lure poor children with promises of shelter and food, while others are picked up for not having identification cards and threatened with arrest unless they join the army, Ban said. Army commanders sometimes pay ‘brokers’ $30 and a bag of rice for each recruit.

The UN has also received credible reports children have been arrested for desertionBan said.

Ban also criticised the government for denying UN official access to areas where guerrilla groups operate, leaving investigations incomplete.—AP