Taiwan moves to tighten conscription rules after high-profile draft dodging
Proposed changes would also mandate alternative service for transgender and intersex people, a move that has sparked backlash
In addition, the proposed changes would also mandate alternative service for transgender and intersex people, a move that has sparked backlash from rights groups and other members of the public.
The island’s defence ministry on Monday unveiled a draft amendment to its physical classification standards, overhauling eligibility for exemption, alternative service and regular service in what officials described as a bid to close long-standing loopholes and restore fairness to the draft system.
If the revisions pending approval by the legislature are adopted, the exemption criteria would be sharply narrowed.
Only individuals with a body mass index (BMI) above 45 or a height of 144cm (4 feet 7 inches) or below would qualify for exemption. Previously, exemptions were given to men with a BMI above 35 or extreme height measurements.
For a man standing 170cm tall, the new rules would raise the exemption weight threshold from just over 101kg (222lbs) to 130kg.