How are Arakanese youths navigating their role under the military rule?
Since the military took power in a coup in Myanmar on 1 February 2021, the country’s political and economic situation has deteriorated. The role of the country’s youth, their future, has also diminished under the coup. They have lost their freedom of speech, their hopes and ambitions, while facing insecurity.
Although there are no resistance movements against the coup in Arakan State, the youth have been struggling with the impacts of the coup for more than two years.
How are the youth navigating life under military rule? In this vox pop, Arakanese youths talked about their challenges, hopes and opportunities.
Ko Oo Than Naing (Arakan Students’ Union)
Myanmar is now under the military rule. Under the current circumstances, we as youth face many restrictions on political and social activism. Under the quasi-civilian government, we were allowed to engage in some activities. But under the current circumstances, Arakan Students’ Union has had to stop its activities on the ground. Under the military government, the rights to organize, freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and the role of youth in the media have been severely suppressed. So, the role of the youth has diminished after the coup.
Ko Kyaw Aye Maung (Local resident from Maungdaw Township)
Youths must be supported in the areas of health, education and social welfare. After the coup, the role of youth has diminished because they can’t freely participate in social activities. We live in great fear and can’t do what we want or go where we want. Even working online is difficult. There is a sense of insecurity because laws restrict online activities. When young people try to do something, they worry about what laws the authorities might use against them, so it’s hard to work.
Ma Tin Htay (Local resident from Pauktaw Township)
In the current circumstances, we also face the impacts of the recent cyclone. With the displaced people, there are also financial difficulties. So if we can’t do what we want, our hopes fade. As young people, we have difficulty finding work and opportunities. Education has also been disrupted by Covid-19 and political unrest, which led to school closures and interruptions in years of study. As a young person, I don’t want communication and transportation to be interrupted when something happens. Even if the political situation is bad, I don’t want long school closures and transport shutdowns.
Ko Zaw Myo Naing (Rathedaung Region Development Association)
Recently, we have experienced the impacts of a natural disaster. So, I’d like to urge young people to be more active in protecting the environment. Also, there are many displaced people in our Rathedaung Township. The youths in these displaced camps can’t do what they want. They don’t have access to education due to their living conditions. Since they can’t afford the cost of education, the youth have difficulty learning until the end. In times of health, educational, social, and economic hardships, I don’t want armed conflict in any form. Regardless of the circumstances, I am for the negotiating table to protect the future, capacity and social life of our young generation. I think the role of young people should be considered. In any situation, young people must be supported and empowered to participate openly.
Sent by DMG.