Myanmar Spring Chronicle February 13 by MoeMaKa Media:
Impact of Military Conscription Law Unfolds
As the recently announced military conscription law takes effect in Myanmar, the repercussions are being keenly felt among the populace, leading to concerns, familial distress, and a surge in preparations to seek refuge abroad. Reports from both news outlets and local communities highlight the growing opposition to the enforcement of this law, with citizens exploring various avenues to evade mandatory military service.
In the wake of the law’s implementation, families across the nation, particularly those residing in areas under the control of the Military Council, are grappling with the dilemma of loved ones facing conscription. Ethnic armed groups and People’s Defense Forces have reportedly extended invitations to potential conscripts, urging them to join alternative forces to avoid enrollment in the military council.
The prevailing sentiment among parents and siblings is a resounding resistance to their kin joining the military, an institution widely disapproved by the public. The reluctance stems from the aversion to partaking in a civil war rather than a war against external aggression, with concerns escalating as the conflict intensifies. Given these circumstances, there is widespread disagreement with the enforcement of the military conscription law.
The current state of the country, embroiled in civil strife with the military council facing successive losses, amplifies the risks associated with mandatory conscription. Citizens fear for their lives and the erosion of their dignity as the law places them in precarious situations amid the ongoing conflict. This apprehension has triggered active efforts by parents and siblings to dissuade young individuals from falling prey to military service.
Recent accounts depict a surge in preparations among young people in both urban and rural settings, with some individuals in southern Myanmar bordering Thailand actively seeking opportunities to work abroad. Those in urban areas, financially capable of doing so, are exploring avenues to send their children abroad for education, as a desperate measure to avoid military conscription.
Shan State presents a unique scenario, as reports from the Shan Herald News Agency indicate that the Shan State Progress Party and the Shan State Army SSPP/SSA are actively preventing and apprehending residents attempting to leave for Thailand. The armed groups express concerns that individuals leaving the country may be conscripted under the military conscription law.
The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), another armed group in Shan State, is reportedly extending invitations to young individuals to join their armed forces. In contrast, areas under the influence of groups like the Karen National Union (KNU), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and some ethnic armed factions have not imposed bans on leaving the country or issued invitations for recruitment.
In response to mounting questions about the military conscription law, the military council released additional information, including the formation of the Central Committee for Military Service Law on February 13. The committee, comprising the Minister of Defense, the Chief of General Staff, and the Minister of Home Affairs, will oversee the call-up process, set to commence after the April Thingyan holiday. General Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson for the military council, clarified that the call-up would be staggered, with 5,000 individuals summoned in each batch.
The implementation of the military conscription law amid a civil war raises concerns about unforeseen consequences and potential challenges in its control. While some view joining ethnic armed groups and People’s Defense Forces as an alternative, the military council’s last-ditch effort might further complicate the already turbulent landscape, possibly leading to unintended repercussions.