Conscription Fueling ‘Rampant’ Human Trafficking in Myanmar

Myanmar’s forced conscription law has transformed into a human trafficking market where young people are routinely abducted and sold, according to recent reports. A surge in social media clips shows desperate family members pleading with military-linked monks to help secure the release of conscription detainees.

In a recent case, Ko Kyaw Kyaw Aung, a father of three, was snatched from his home in North Dagon Township, Yangon Region, by local regime administrators last week.

His family approaching prominent monk U Parmaukkha, a former leader of the military-backed ultranationalist Association for the Protection of Race and Religion (Ma Ba Tha), to beg for his intervention. According to a video posted on the monk’s social media account, Ward 50 administrator U Hla Sein had already sold the victim to the military for 8 million kyat (about US$ 3,800).