Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has enacted a sweeping new law that allows for the death penalty or life imprisonment for anyone—including military personnel, police, militia members (known as Pyu Saw Htee), or civilians—found guilty of disclosing military-related secrets.
According to official sources, the law applies to both current and former members of the security forces, who are required to uphold strict confidentiality regarding all military matters. This includes soldiers, police officers, and members of the pro-junta militias.
Under Section 16 of the newly issued “Law on the Protection and Preservation of Military Secrets,” any person who discloses any form of classified military information without proper authorization will face either a life sentence or capital punishment if found guilty. The law also criminalizes aiding, abetting, or conspiring in such disclosures.
Military secrets are defined broadly to include strategic plans, training activities, military vehicles (land, air, and sea), weapons systems, technical equipment, logistical tools, technologies, operational methods, and defense-related information.
The law further prohibits the transfer of such information to any foreign government, foreign military entity, international security organizations, or private security firms. It stipulates that current or former defense personnel are strictly barred from working with foreign military agencies, governments, or private security services without prior permission from the Ministry of Defense.
Even the use of military-related information by ex-servicemen in private foreign employment is criminalized and could result in a life sentence or the death penalty.
According to sources familiar with the law, even civilians could fall afoul of it:
“If someone takes a photo of a military convoy and uploads it online, authorities can claim that the image was leaked to enemy forces. That alone could warrant the death penalty under this law,” a military source in Naypyitaw said.
Critics are alarmed by the expansive and vague definitions used in the law. The clause stating "any person" could be charged essentially brings the entire civilian population under military legal control. Moreover, the inclusion of the Pyu Saw Htee militia further blurs the line between formal armed forces and informal pro-junta actors.
Analysts point out that in functioning democracies, laws—especially those affecting the rights and freedoms of citizens—are supposed to be enacted by elected parliaments. However, in military-ruled Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing continues to unilaterally issue laws that critics say serve more to entrench authoritarian rule than to protect national security.
This law is being widely interpreted as yet another tool of repression designed to suppress public dissent, limit press freedom, and control the flow of information about military operations, especially in conflict zones.
BOB Post
