Posted on 08 March 2024
Since the announcement of mandatory conscription into the military in Myanmar, the country has witnessed tragic incidents like a deadly stampede outside a passport office and enduring queues outside embassies. Young Burmese, previously active in protesting the junta, now find themselves compelled to serve in the military, sparking outrage and resistance. Many view this move as a response to recent military setbacks, prompting families to seek refuge abroad or consider alternative paths such as entering monkhood or early marriage to avoid conscription.
In response to the conscription law, social media platforms abound with discussions of evasion strategies, from seeking refuge in monasteries to pursuing marriage or contemplating migration to foreign countries. Wealthier families, in particular, are exploring options abroad, ranging from neighboring countries like Thailand and Singapore to more distant destinations such as Iceland, in hopes of securing residency or citizenship for their children before conscription age. The military junta's imposition of mandatory military service for young adults, previously unenforced since its introduction in 2010, underscores the regime's desperate attempts to maintain control amidst mounting opposition. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) designates Myanmar as the most violent of the 50 conflicts it monitors worldwide, with a death toll exceeding 50,000 since the 2021 military coup, of which at least 8,000 are civilians.
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