Myanmar youth fearful but defiant as junta activates conscription law
The Straits Times|February 14, 2024
Some may join armed resistance; analysts say law triggered by military’s huge losses
Myanmar youth fearful but defiant as junta activates conscription law

BANGKOK Yangon has been spared the worst of the armed conflict between the Myanmar military and resistance forces set off by the 2021 coup, but life for young people in the city may become more precarious after the junta on Feb 10 announced it was enforcing national conscription.

According to the recently activated law, all men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 will now have to serve in the military, and those with specialist expertise may be conscripted even if they are older.

Those who evade conscription can be jailed for three to five years. Full details on how conscription will be carried out are not available.

"I am afraid," Ms Su, a 26-yearold private school teacher, told The Straits Times. "I could be arrested and forced to serve in the military. I am trying to avoid staying out late and travelling in general. But it is not always possible because I have to work late." Ms Su, who declined to give her full name for security reasons, said: "I want to go abroad by any means."

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