Family members have reported that Maung Min Hein Htike, a 17-year-old youth, was forcibly recruited by the military forces while seeking employment at Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone in Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon. The incident occurred around 9 AM on April 28, marking another instance of the military council’s forced recruitment of young people for military service. Min Hein Htike was captured while visiting the industrial zone in search of job opportunities.
During his capture, Min Hein Htike managed to contact his family via phone to inform them that he was being taken for military service. However, all communication was subsequently lost, and his mobile phone was switched off. According to family members, despite being under 18 years of age, he was illegally detained and taken by the military forces. His current whereabouts remain unknown, causing significant concern among his family members who emphasize that he has not yet reached the legal age of majority.
The military council has been systematically conducting widespread forced recruitment operations throughout Yangon, particularly in Hlaing Tharyar, Shwepyithar, and various New Dagon Townships. This practice of forced military recruitment of young people violates international law and human rights standards. The recruitment of minors for military service is particularly concerning as it constitutes child soldier recruitment, which is considered a severe human rights violation. The military’s actions in forcibly recruiting civilians, especially minors, for military service represents a continuing pattern of human rights abuses in Myanmar, demonstrating the military council’s disregard for both domestic and international legal frameworks protecting civilian rights.
