On 10 February 2024, the State Administration Council (SAC) which rules Myanmar after the coup d’etat on 1 February 2021 announced the enforcement of the military conscription law. It aims to draft men ages 18-35 and women ages 18-27 for at least two years. This caused an alarm among Myanmar youths who feared that they would be enlisted to fight in a war against pro-democracy oppositional groups and ethnic army organizations. As the army has started to force young people to oblige, an increasing number of Myanmar citizens subject to conscription are fleeing to the liberated areas not controlled by the military or to abroad. Some are trying to seek refuge in Thailand and to join the many more who since the coup have tried to stay in the country through education, work, and temporary visas in precarious conditions. These refugees, including thousands of students in Thai universities are deeply concerned about their safety and are worried about their uncertain future.

This panel discusseso bligations of Thailand, in particular the Thai higher education institutions, in protecting the Myanmar youths. It will provide an update to the armed conflicts situation in Myanmar and on conscription. It then proposes policy recommendations to the Thai authorities, urging them to adhere to the principle of non-refoulement and to find alternatives for the Myanmar youths residing in Thailand.

The panel discussion organized by the Institute for Human Rights and Peace Studies, the Mahidol Migration Center, the Migrant Working Group and SEA Junction on 24 April 2024 at 5.30 PM at SEA Junction consists of the following resource persons:

 

Moderator:

Mike Hayes, Institute for Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University

 

Speakers:

Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur Myanmar (online)
Sriprapha Petcharamesree, Law Faculty, Chulalongkorn University
Toe Zaw Latt, Mizzima News (online)
Addison Kerdmongkol, Migrant Working Group
Two Anonymous online Comments/statements by two Myanmar Youth (thai-based) on the impact of conscription

 

Photographer: Chawin Chantalikit