The recent activation of the People’s Military Law by the military junta in Myanmar poses a blow to the country’s youth and future opportunities. This re-activation of compulsory military service law was originally enacted via the State Peace and Development Council Law No. 27/ 2010, and may have significant consequences on the nation’s social fabric.
Under the newly instated law, men between the ages of 18 to 35 and women from 18 to 27 are now required to serve in the military on a compulsory basis. Though stated to not exceed a service period of 24 months, the military junta retains discretionary powers to extend military service up to 5 years in a state of emergency. Furthermore, the military also maintains the power to mobilise and summon those who have already concluded their military service in the event of an emergency threatening state security. Penalties for evasion of this service can result in imprisonment for up to 5 years.
The implementation of the law serves dual purposes; using citizens as frontline soldiers and targeting the country’s youth – the most active age bracket in resistance against the government. Within the legal construct, terms such as “students” are apprehensively defined as those attending a university ‘operated and acknowledged’ by the military junta, thereby creating a direct channel for slowing down the local Civil Disobedience Movement and controlling younger demographics.
The impact is not limited to civil liberties and freedom of expression. Fundamental rights such as the right to life and the right to education are increasingly becoming a luxury for many young people in Myanmar. This decision has augmented concerns among youthful Myanmar citizens living inside the country and those temporarily residing abroad, with many opting not to return until the military rule ends. The resultant ‘brain drain’ has the potential to stall the nation’s progress on multiple fronts, adding even more fuel to an already dire situation.
For further details on the activation of Myanmar’s compulsory military service law, visit this in-depth report.