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Panel Discussion “Myanmar Youth Defy Mandatory Conscription”
April 24 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Event Background
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 dread 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 the facto refugees, including thousands of students in Thai universities are deeply concerned about their safety and are worried about their uncertain future.
This panel will discuss obligations 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 the conscription. It will then propose 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 (on line)
- Sriprapha Petcharamesree, Law Faculty, Chulalongkorn University
- Toe Zaw Latt, Mizzima News (on line)
- Addison Kerdmongkol, Migrant Working Group
- Two Anonymous online Comments/statements by two Myanmar Youth (thai-based) on the impact of conscription
The event will be broadcast on SEA Junction facebook page and cross-posted also in the organizers’ respective pages. You can also join on Zoom at the link https://shorturl.at/dAHP9 On Zoom and on site there will be Thai interpretation available.
For more information, please email: info@seajunction.org or phone/wa: +66970024140
NB: The event is free, but donations are welcome to support SEA Junction activities.
Organizers:
Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP), Mahidol University
IHRP is committed to the advancement of human rights and peace by educating human rights and peace practitioners, promoting outreach programs to community and international organizations, and conducting cutting edge research. IHRP offers post-graduate programs on human rights, peace studies, and democracy. For more info see https://ihrp.mahidol.ac.th/
The Mahidol Migration Center (MMC)
MMC is part of the Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR) with the aim to focus on the impact of migration in the region and helps disseminate information on migration more efficiently. The MMC serves as the primary channel for migration-related information provided by IPSR and its partners. The MMC, IPSR, and Mahidol University hold core humanitarian values with the goal of deep participation in interdisciplinary and international cooperation. For more info see https://ipsr.mahidol.ac.th/en/research-centers/
SEA Junction
SEA Junction was established in 2016 under the Thai non-profit organization Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies (ForSEA), with the aim to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions, from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 407-8 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium), SEA Junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information, see www.seajunction.org, join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1693058870976440/ and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @seajunction
Migrant Working Group (MWG)
MWG is an NGO network with the objective of supporting migrant workers in accessing to rights and protection and good standard of living with the respect of human rights and without discrimination. For more information see https://mwgthailand.org/en/about.
