Myanmar's military has announced the implementation of conscription to address its depleted ranks, leading to a potential mass exodus of young talent. The move comes amidst ongoing conflict following the military's seizure of power in 2021, resulting in a civil war-like situation.
The conscription law mandates all healthy men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to register for two years of military service. Evading conscription carries a penalty of imprisonment and fines. The government plans to draft 60,000 individuals annually, with the first batch of 5,000 expected to be called up after the Thingyan New Year celebration in mid-April.
Concerns over the law have prompted many to seek ways to escape, with reports of long queues at embassies for visa applications and individuals lining up at passport offices. Professionals, including doctors and engineers, face extended age limits for conscription and longer service terms.
The Institute for Strategy and Policy warns that conscription could lead to a mass exodus, increased human rights violations, corruption, and extortion. It anticipates that individuals close to conflict zones may join ethnic minority armed groups or pro-democracy resistance forces.
Various ethnic resistance groups have offered refuge to those fleeing conscription, while the shadow National Unity Government has urged the public to resist the law and intensify their fight against military rule.
As a result of the conscription announcement, over 1,000 Myanmar nationals are believed to be crossing into Thailand daily, raising concerns about human trafficking and job competition among the already sizable Myanmar migrant worker population in Thailand.
