Myanmar imposes travel ban on young people amid new army draft rules
Myanmar’s military government has introduced new rules under its conscription law, including a ban on foreign travel for people who are eligible for military service.
The changes, announced on January 23, 2025, have sparked criticism from political groups and legal experts, who say the new rules will increase oppression in the country.
The amendments include 59 new rules and give the junta more power to draft people into the military. Previously, workers in government departments were exempt from being conscripted, but the new rules now allow the military to draft them as well.
Renowned lawyer, U Kyee Myint, told local news outlet BNI that the public had hoped for changes to reduce the number of people eligible for conscription, but instead, the amendments make the law even stricter. He explained that many had expected the junta to create exemptions that would protect some groups from being forced to join the army.
Instead, the changes have disappointed the public and made the situation worse, according to local reports.
The amendments also require schools to include lessons about the conscription law in their curriculum. This has attracted sharp criticism.
Critics have described the move as an attempt by the junta to promote military dominance.
The new rules also target displaced people, including young people from the Arakan (Rakhine) State who have fled to cities like Yangon. The military can now draft these displaced youths into the army at any time. Critics argue this shows the junta’s intention to spread militarism across the country and maintain control.
Since the conscription law was enforced, around 40,000 people have been drafted into the military. Many of them were forced to join. Myanmar’s army has been struggling with manpower due to significant battlefield losses, including the loss of 180 military bases and two major regional headquarters.
Under the current law, around 14 million people in Myanmar are eligible for conscription. They can be forced to serve in the army for up to two years, which can be extended to five years in emergencies. The ninth wave of conscription is now underway.
