Appendix 14

Why did you leave Burma?

After I was released, I was under surveillance. The military intelligence watched everything I did. Everywhere I went they were like my shadow. When my husband and son went to Thai-Burma border, the military intelligence questioned me about where they went and what were they doing. The MI pressured me every two days to call my family back. Therefore, I left Burma.

When were you imprisoned? Did you know in advance of your arrest? Why were you arrested?

I knew in advance of my arrest. Some of my friends were arrested that time because of distributing the videotape from Thai-Burma border. My husband, U Kyaw Lwin, was arrested on the 23rd. That's why I knew I would also be arrested sooner or later. I was arrested on August 26th, 1991.

Were the military intelligence officers who interrogated you male or female?

They were all male officers.

Tell me about the prison authorities in Pegu prison.

The prison wardens I met in Pegu prison were corrupt and they bullied. The prison authorities were also inhumane and did not have mercy. Prisoners in charge were also inhumane. When they wanted something from prisoners, they put on fawning looks. When they got what they wanted, they bullied again. The regime declared to the world that they did not torture the political prisoners. But I witnessed once when the prison authorities ordered two female political prisoners to face the wall and beat them severely with a cane. Wasn't that torture?

How did the MI treat the political prisoners?

Although the political prisoners were not under the control of military intelligence, as soon as they were sentenced and were sent to prison, the MI came to the prison frequently to watch which prisoner was doing what. The prison authorities were ordered to inform. The MI controlled all political prisoners one way or another.

How did you manage to survive under the worst conditions in prison?

My four children were left outside, but they were so young that my big sister came to visit me. However, her name was not on the list of family members that I was allowed to meet. She was only allowed to give me parcels. I encouraged myself not to die in the hands of devils. I had to be careful with my health. When I was arrested, I asked the MI to carry my personal belongings, like a blanket and extra clothes. They said they would take me to ask some questions and it would take only a short time so I did not need them. When I was sent to prison, I faced the problems of law of nature. I was dehumanized in that place.

When were you relieved in prison? Did you have any good times in prison? If you had, please tell me?

I had no good times because I was in prison. But I had some decent times. When the prison was opened in the morning, I did meditation and telling my beads. I felt relief only that time.

Did your friends from outside help you when you were in prison? Did you have normal relationship with your friends when you were outside again? How did they react? Did they tell you to keep on or to give up your political movements? Please tell me about your neighborhood.

All NLD members welcomed me warmly when I was released. They supported me with food and money. Some friends of mine advised me not to participate again in political movements. They said I had been imprisoned and my family also had been engulfed with problems outside. But my relatives did not forbid me. As for me I sacrificed my life and my children so that nobody could block me from participating in political movements. I told them all I would participate again in political movements.

Nowadays, participating in any political movements earns arrests, tortures and imprisonment. Why did you join the NLD though you knew these?

I was well aware of the likelihood that I would be arrested, tortured and imprisoned. But on the other hand, I also could share the sufferings of people because I was one of them. Therefore, I participated in the political movements toward democracy as a NLD member, on behalf of people as much as I could.

Did you have good relationship with the prison authorities in Pegu prison as a member of NLD? Were there any special relationships or respect compared to other prisoners? How did the authorities treat you?

Because I was charged with the Emergency Act 5(j), the authorities recognized and treated me as a rebel. There was no special respect. I was only treated as others. The prison authorities regarded our political beliefs and participating in political movements as rebellion.

The military declared that there were no political prisoners; instead there were criminals who committed crimes. Were you imprisoned by which, participating in politics or committing crimes?

Up to now, I have never committed any crimes. I was only imprisoned for distributing the videotape from Marne Palaw (then KNU's stronghold). I was charged with the State Emergency Act, 5 (j) and imprisoned.

Tell me about your experience in the trial. How were you trialed, in which court, how long and what sentence?

When I was on trial, I was sent to court sometimes twice a month, sometimes twice a week, and sometimes once a week. And then I was appointed at the next court. They prepared to charge me on May 27th, and they persuaded me to confess. They said "If you confess, your sentence will be 3-year imprisonment, if not; the sentence will be 5 years. I was sentenced on May 27th 1992 for 5-year imprisonment because I told them I did the right thing for people and I denied confessing. I was sentenced at the Pegu Military Court (1). I had to live in prison for four and a half years. I was tried at the military court, and my custody time was not counted and not reduced. Therefore, I had to live 9 months in custody plus four and a half years in prison.

How did you feel when you were released?

I was released on September 2nd, 1996. I felt so happy. But when I was back at home I knew that my father had passed away 3 months before. I was so sorry and I was extremely depressed.

Is everything going very well with you now?

Because my motherland is under the suppressive regime, I live in another land. I don't feel free. I am so afraid when and where I will be arrested by the authorities. Why? Because of the brutal regime, I fled and have to live with many troubles among the strangers. I don't want to live in other country. I want to live in my own country. But my country is ruled by tyrants, so I have to live in another country with these unpleasant feelings.