×
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • HOT 100
  • SOCIAL
  • FEATURED
  • ×
    close
    profile photo
    International

    Myanmar junta annouces unexpected military conscription law.

    549 views
    Myanmar junta annouces unexpected military conscription law.
    • February 22, 2024 • 1 year ago
    in summary
    Myanmar military conscription law has sparked panic and fear among the youth who are trying to flee the country as evidenced with the insurgent rise in the number people requesting for Thai visas in the capital Yangon.

    Myanmar military conscription law sparked panic and fear as the youth are preparing to flee inorder to dodge unwanted and unguaranteed militarily service three years after a bloody coup inorder to keep up the fight against  armed resistance across multiple fronts on the nation's boundaries.

    Three years after the military junta's takeover , the army is facing the biggest challenge to its fragile hold on power and seeks to boost its armed forces with compulsory military service which prompted a rush by young people to get visas to flee out of the country. 

    The conscription law sparked fear in the war torn Myanmar with the nations youth proclaiming the " i don't want to kill" motto.

    It is really a terrifying prospect as the junta activated a mandatory conscription for all young men and women.

    Videos shared on social media show long queues of people clutching documents at the Thai Embassy in Myanmar biggest city Yangon.

    Young people are now scrambling to figure out how to avoid being sent to the barracks, with some planning hasty exit strategies, illegal if necessary with others planning to leave their homes and join the resistance forces against the military.

    Under the new law, all men ages 18 to 35 and women ages 18 to 27 are required to serve for upto two years under military command with speciliasts such as doctors expected to serve for upto three years.

    However, evasion of military service is punishable with imprisonment of between 3 to 5 years by the law which had been in books right from the previous military regime but had not been enacted until now.

    The law however could be used to justify human rights abuses as it forces a young generation to fight their own people alongside creation of a large exodus of people fleeing to neighbouring countries inorder to escape conscription.

    "We have no choice left."

    Myanmar military has been weakened by unprecedented coordination betweenn ethnic armed organisations and resistance groups known as People's Defense Forces which support the national Unity government in exile.

    These groups have taken control of hundreds of strategic border towns, key military positions and vital trade routes since launching an offensive last October.

    According to the state mouthpiece Global New Light of Myanmar, the defence minister Adm Tin Aung San said that the military had the capacity to recruit upto 50,000 people a year and that the conscripts would receive salary, rations and entitlements in accordance to their grades and qualifications.

    The Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said that about 13 million people would be eligible for conscription with 60,000 men to be recruited first reportedly in April.

    The Myanmar military has had long history of using civilians as human shields or possibly using them either as porters to carry military equipment to and from the battle fronts or making them do the risky job of clearing landmines from fields.

    The major concern is that now the law will legslise the practice.

     

     

     

    Leave a Comment below about this story


    In other related News

    Related Posts
    Uganda Dance Nights Sets a New Standard for Entertainment in Uganda
    Uganda Dance Nights Sets a New Standard for Entertainment in Uganda
    10 days ago
    Ugandan Govt to continue electricity distribution under UEDCL as Umeme Concession ends
    Ugandan Govt to continue electricity distribution under UEDCL as Umeme Concession ends
    13 days ago

     

    Today's Hot Stories
    1
    The Role of Storytelling in Preserving Ugandan Heritage
    The Role of Storytelling in Preserving Ugandan Heritage
    Featured
    2
    Uganda Dance Nights Presents an Exclusive Valentines Flash Sale for the Ugandan Latin Ballroom Experience
    Uganda Dance Nights Presents an Exclusive Valentines Flash Sale for the Ugandan Latin Ballroom Experience
    Entertainment
    3
    Shaka Ssali retires from VOA.
    Shaka Ssali retires from VOA.
    Breaking
    4
    The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Peaceful Protest comes to an unexpected end. Here is why.
    The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Peaceful Protest comes to an unexpected end. Here is why.
    Politics
    5
    Inside Ugandas Journey to a Central Bank Digital Currency
    Inside Ugandas Journey to a Central Bank Digital Currency
    Business
    6
    Julius Malema hits back at Elon Musk after he asks for the Economic Freedom Fighters Leader to be sanctioned.
    Julius Malema hits back at Elon Musk after he asks for the Economic Freedom Fighters Leader to be sanctioned.
    Politics
    7
    Grand Announcement as Mpuuga Unveils 2026 Campaign Taskforce
    Grand Announcement as Mpuuga Unveils 2026 Campaign Taskforce
    National
    8
    Kawempe North NUP Candidate selection. Munyagwa attacks Bobi Wine.
    Kawempe North NUP Candidate selection. Munyagwa attacks Bobi Wine.
    Politics
    9
    IOC President Thomas Bach Visits Uganda
    IOC President Thomas Bach Visits Uganda
    Sports
    10
    MPs examine performance of GROW project.
    MPs examine performance of GROW project.
    National
    Listen to Music on Nowviba