An opposition FAIR Party MP, Kannavee Suebsang, told the media that Myanmar nationals fleeing to Thailand to avoid military conscription should be helped on humanitarian grounds, and that Myanmar refugees should be permitted to work.
In the past, over 800 migrant workers from Myanmar crossed the border every day to work in Thailand. However, after Myanmar and Thailand agreed to stop sending workers to Thailand, the Thai government is arresting and deporting them back to Myanmar. This has become a major concern, the MP reiterated. 1
On 22 February, local immigration authorities in Thailand’s Tak province, including Mae Sot, where many Myanmar migrant workers, politicians and activists are taking shelter, ordered homeowners to register their guests or face 15 days to one month in jail, or a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 baht for failing to do so. 2
The Canadian government issued a warning to its citizens, strongly advising them not to travel to Myanmar, where theconscription law has been enforced. In particular, Canadian passport holders originally from Myanmar may be classified as citizens and conscripted by the authorities, and the Canadian government cannot guarantee their protection or safe travel in Myanmar, the advisory states. In addition, the ability to provide assistance to detained Canadians in Myanmar is extremely limited, it adds. 3
The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) on 22 February strongly denounced the military regime’s conscription law, calling it a shameful attempt to rule the people with fear, former Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, an APHR board member, said in a statement. 4
On 21 February, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Mr. Tom Andrews, said that the conscription law poses greater threats to civilians. He reiterated that the vulnerable military regime is becoming increasingly dangerous. 5
Due to ongoing armed clashes between the Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) in Maungdaw District, Arakan State, trade centered around the Naf River between Bangladesh and Myanmar has completely stopped. The suspension of trade activities at Teknaf Port in Cox’s Bazar district has caused huge losses in tax revenue collection for the Bangladesh government, it is reported.
Myanmar used to export timber, betel nut, fish, ginger, turmeric, chili, onion, cucumber, rice etc. to Bangladesh through the ports in Maungdaw, Sittwe and elsewhere, while Bangladesh used to export plastic goods, clothes, aluminum, medicines and foodstuffs to Myanmar. 6
1 Thai MP urges government to help Myanmar nationals fleeing to Thailand, allow them
to work
2 Thai government orders guest registration in Tak province where most Myanmar
nationals live
3 Canada warns citizens against traveling to Myanmar under conscription law
4 APHR strongly denounces military council’s conscription law
5 Tom Andrews warns military service poses threats to Myanmar people
6 Bangladesh-Myanmar border trade completely halted due to border clashes