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Forced to Enlist: The Impacts of Military Conscription in Southeastern Burma

Introduction

Since the attempted military coup nearly four years ago on 1 February 2024, Burma has experienced increasingly widespread human rights abuses perpetrated by the military. Among these violations, the enforcement of a forced conscription law has emerged as a brutal tool of control, primarily targeting young men and women across the country.

This report, Forced to Enlist: The Impact of Military Conscription in Southeastern Burma, will provide a detailed analysis of these abuses, focusing specifically on the Mon, Karen, and Tanintharyi regions—areas where the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) has extensively documented the impact of these practices in Southern Burma.  Additional reporting supports our findings, as detailed in HURFOM’s May 2024 briefing paper, ‘Forced to Fight: Military Conscription in Southeastern Burma.’

The forced conscription law has not only infringed on the fundamental rights of individuals but has also spread fear and intimidation throughout communities, leading to the mass displacement of civilians. Throughout southeastern Burma and much of the nation, the junta’s aggressive conscription efforts have faced strong resistance. Those who have courageously opposed the military are met with severe consequences such as imprisonment, torture, and even death.

The long-term consequences of the forced conscription policies for regional stability in Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi Region are severe and multifaceted. The disruption of social structures, the psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and communities, and the resulting displacement and migration have all contributed to an environment of instability that will be difficult to overcome.

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Paddy farmers face loss due to new weight measuring system

HURFOM: Last year, a bucket of paddy rice was priced at 22,000 MMK, and in 2024, the price rose to 25,000 MMK per bucket. While consumers must pay more, paddy farmers won’t see a benefit because of a significant loss due to the new measuring weight system.

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Weekly Analysis: Displacement Crisis Worsens in Southeastern Burma

HURFOM

Across Southeastern Burma, specifically in target areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), including Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi region, the junta is escalating its attacks against sheltering populations who the conflict has impacted.

Renewed clashes between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied forces against the junta troops near the Anankwin strategic camp along the Thanbyuzayat-Three Pagodas Pass Road on the Mon-Karen State border have forced thousands of villagers into prolonged displacement.

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Prolonged shutdown of telecommunication network creates hardships in Kyarinnseikyi

HURFOM: Beginning in mid-September, 2024, the military junta cut off the telecommunication network in heavy conflict areas in Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State, leaving residents in socioeconomic jeopardy.

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66 schools closed in Bilin: Children denied access to education due to prolonged and constant battles

HURFOM: Since early 2024, there have been prolonged, frequent battles between the military junta and local resistance forces in Bilin Township, Mon State. As a result, 66 schools have been forced to stop their operations leaving thousands of children without access to education.

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Two siblings arrested by junta disappear in Dawei

HURFOM: According to local sources, on November 4^th, 2024, two sibling sisters from Way D village, Long Lone Township, Tenasserim Division were arrested by the military junta in Dawei, and there has been no trace of them since after the arrest,

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Ongoing battles means prolonged displacement for many villagers along Karen/Mon border

HURFOM: On August 18^th, 2024, the Karen National Liberation Army and its allied revolutionary forces launched an attack on the Ah Nan Kwin Strategic Military Camp located on the Thanbyuzayat – Three Pagoda Pass Road.   Since the initial attack, which is at the border of the Karen and Mon State intense battles have been on-going.

The battle has been ongoing for more than four months, forcing the entire populations from Ah Nan Kwin, Sa Khan Gyi, Zee Hna Pin, Ye Ta Gon, Yaw Thit, Pa Yaw Hel, U Khway – Daw Yain, That Kaw and Lot Shan villages to flee their homes.

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Man sustains serious injury in landmine explosion at Phar Pon – Ka Ma Maung Road

HURFOM: On November 24^th, 2024, a local man sustained a serious injury from a landmine explosion at the Phar Pon – Ka Ma Maung Road, Phar Pon Township, Karen State.

The man, his wife and son were returning from Mawlamyine to Bot Kyoe Lell village, Phar Pon Township by motorbike, when they ran over a landmine.

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Child killed by landmine in Dawei

HURFOM: On December 1^st, 2024, a 14-year-old child from Ka Nine Dar village, Dawei Township, Tenasserim Division stepped on a landmine and was killed by the explosion.

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Junta sentences social worker to 10-year imprisonment in Kyike Hto

HURFOM: On November 27^th, 2024, the military junta has sentenced U Mya Aung, a social worker from “Kaw San Nine” social and rescue team, from Kaw San Nile Ward, Kyike Town, Mon State to a 10-year imprisonment after accusing him of having connection with the People’s Defense Force.

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