The junta’s amendments to the conscription law introduced on 23 January 2025 have been condemned by political groups and legal experts who warn they will oppress the Myanmar people even more.
The junta introduced 10 new chapters containing 59 new rules and 12 annexes to the conscription law, which it started enforcing on 10 February 2024.
Amongst the new rules are ones that allow the junta to also conscript employees of government departments, whereas previously they were exempt. It also restricts those eligible for conscription from travelling abroad.
U Kyee Myint, a veteran lawyer explained to DMG that people were hoping amendments to the conscription law would be introduced to exempt certain groups from having to serve in the army. But instead, these amendments mean more, rather than fewer people are exempt from conscription.
He said: “It is common practice to enact follow-up rules that provide exemptions for the public after a law is promulgated. This is why there were calls for more specific rules when the junta introduced the conscription law. However, when these regulations were actually announced, they caused widespread dismay. Instead of offering exemptions, these rules turned out to be even more ruthlessly restrictive.”
A woman working in the judicial branch of the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army (AA) said: “Rules and regulations are typically enacted for the welfare of the people and the peace and prosperity of the country. However, the rules imposed by the junta seem designed to violate the rights of the people and destroy their future. It appears that the junta is solely focused on its own gain in setting these rules.”
One of the conscription law amendments, Rule 59, states that conscription awareness activities must be incorporated into the basic education school curriculum so that the public has a better understanding of the conscription law.
The author Wai Hin Aung said: “Including conscription laws in school curricula is one of the most despicable acts. The junta is attempting to instill a mindset of military dominance in children.”
The new amendments also allow for the conscription of displaced people living in other parts of the country, including youths who have fled from Arakan (Rakhine) State to other areas of the country, including Yangon.
Wai Hin Aung said: "“The junta appears determined to instill militarism across the country and maintain military rule. The new rules put war-displaced Arakan youths living in junta-controlled areas at risk, as they can be drafted for conscription at any time.”
Currently under the conscription law, 14 million people in Myanmar are eligible for conscription. Each can be forced to serve in the military for up to two years which can be extended to five years in certain emergency situations.
Since enforcing the conscription law the junta has conscripted about 40,000 people in eight conscription rounds of about 5,000 people each. Many were conscripted against their will or forcibly conscripted. Currently the ninth wave of conscription is underway.
The junta has suffered many battlefield losses which have reduced its manpower. It has lost approximately 180 military bases and outposts nationwide, including two major regional command headquarters, according to Institute for Strategy and Policy – Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar).
