The military junta is continuing its calls for Myanmar nationals who fled to ethnic armed-controlled areas or foreign countries to return home in 2025, according to its recent announcements.
Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, students, youth, civil servants, and other citizens have fled to ethnic armed group territories and foreign countries due to security concerns. The junta claims that those currently residing in these areas are facing insecurity and economic difficulties, which is why it has urged them to return.
The junta previously issued a similar call on January 3, 2025, and has now intensified its efforts. However, a former CDM civil servant living abroad stated that the military’s repeated calls are likely aimed at gathering people for its planned election.
“This call is just a way to collect people for their election. Even if some return, only a few will. No one is interested in their election, and no one recognizes it. That’s why people will not return,” the CDM member said.
The junta has stated that those involved in crimes such as assassinations, bombings, arson, targeted attacks on security forces, and destruction of government and private buildings will not be included in the amnesty. However, those who fled for other reasons and voluntarily return to Myanmar will be pardoned under the law.
Myanmar nationals wishing to return are instructed to contact local administrative offices, while those abroad must reach out to embassies, military attaché offices, or consular departments.
Meanwhile, human rights activists believe the junta’s effort to bring citizens back is intended to enforce the conscription law and recruit new soldiers.
A youth currently in a liberated area said “People fled to liberated areas and foreign countries because they were being targeted for arrest and forced into military service. If they return now, they will be forcibly drafted under the military junta’s unjust conscription law.”
In 2024, large numbers of young people left Myanmar after the junta began enforcing the military conscription law.
In March 2023, during a military council meeting in Naypyidaw, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that many Myanmar nationals living abroad wanted to return, and that the government should facilitate their return. However, at the same time, the junta has also limited the number of workers allowed to leave the country for overseas jobs each month, according to the Ministry of Labor.
