Press Releases

Min Ko Naing - Leading Burmese Democracy activist may face blindness

 

Political Prisoner Profile

AAPP Case No.:

 

Name of Political Prisoner:

Min Ko Naing

Gender:

Male

Ethnicity:

Burmese

Date of Birth:

18.Oct, 1962

Age:

46

Religion:

Buddhist

Parents Name:

U Thet Nyunt & Daw Hla Kyi

Education:

Third Year Zoologys (In 1988)

Occupation:

Chairperson of All Burma Federation of

Student Unions

Last Address:

151, Way Zayanda Road , 16/2 Ward,

Thingangyun Township , Rangoon .

Arrest Date:

22. Aug. 07 (Third Time)

 

 

Section of Law:

Penal Code Act 4 of 5/96 Law

Sentencing History:

 

Court Hearing:

Insein Prison

Name of Prison:

Insein Prison

Release Date:

 

Immediate Health concerns:

Min Ko Naing, a well known 88' generation student leader and Burmese political prisoners who was imprisoned for more than 17 years for his democratic believes has been suffering from a serious eye infection for the past 3 weeks. Min Ko Naing requested a consultation with an eye specialist but the prison authority refused this request claiming that an eye doctor would not be available before May 2008.

Inside prison sources say that his eye condition is seriously deteriorating to the point that he is unable to sleep or eat because of the pain this infection has caused.

Current Status Summary:

Min Ko Naing, a well known 88' generation student leader and Burmese political prisoners who was imprisoned for more than 17 years for his democratic believes has been suffering from a serious eye infection for the past 3 weeks. Min Ko Naing requested a consultation with an eye specialist but the prison authority refused this request claiming that an eye doctor would not be available before May 2008.

Inside prison sources say that his eye condition is seriously deteriorating to the point that he is unable to sleep or eat because of the pain this infection has caused.

Current Status Summary:

Min Ko Naing is currently detained at Insein Prison, No. 1 cell block at Cell No. 10. At present, he is placed under solitary confinement for 23 hours and 40 minutes where he must stay inside his small cell. He is charged under Penal Code Act 4 of 5/96 Law. According to that law, he may receive a long prison term from 5 years to up to 20 years.

Career Background:

 

Min Ko Naing spent 16 years in prison. Now, he is sent back to prison again. He is 46. His Original name is Paw Oo Tun. Min Ko Naing means "conqueror of kings." Its name comes from the 1988 people uprising. His political activities and commitments were highest in August 1988 when nationwide uprising of the people appeared in Burma . On August 28, 1988 , he was elected as Chairperson of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) by the first student conference since 1962.

Arrest Details:

 

Date of Arrest (First Time) - 23 March, 1989

Penal Code Section of Law - Emergency Provision Act 5(J),

- State Protection Law 10(A), 12 ? 124(A)

Date of Released (First Time) - 19 Nov, 2004

Sentenced to - 15 Years

Date of Arrest (Second Time) - 27. September, 2006

Date of Release (Second Time) - 11, January, 2007

Last Date of Arrest (Third) - 22. Aug. 07

 

Details of Imprisonment:

Under Trial

He became an inspirational figure for his fellow students and to the people of Burma . His speeches, public pledges and poems caught the spirit of the people, and made him a leading light in peaceful opposition to the military rule. After a military coup in August 1988, thousands of students and people escaped to the border and joined with the ethnic resistance groups and started an armed struggle. But he refused to flee to safety across the Burmese/Thai border. Instead, he said that he would remain inside Burma where the students, student unions and people exist.

Min Ko Naing believed that the student movements are totally peaceful and non-violent. And as the leader of t he ABFSU , he had decided to oppose t he regime's unjust and oppressive Order 2/88 by organising a “civil disobedience” movement in respect of the prohibition against people gathering in numbers exceeding four persons.

He was detained in March 1989. He was in solitary confinement in Prison without any trial and finally in December 1991, he was arbitrarily sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. He was released in November 2004.

In a radio interview on Nov 22, 2004 , he said, “While we were in prison, they gave their support and encouragement to us; they did their best for us. We felt like a person in a winter river that catches sight of a small light far away. We did not feel it directly; we partially felt it. However, it's enough for us. We will never forget their support. Please, give our thanks to all those who worked for us.”

In August 2007, he and other student activists were arrested for their role in organizing the demonstrations. After they were released, Jimmy, one of his comrades mentioned about him, “He is not just a political animal. He loves to play the guitar and piano, he writes poetry and paints like his father, a respected artist.”

International Prizes of Min Ko Naing

•  1991 – John Humphrey Freedom Award. ( Canada )

•  2000 – Homo Homini Award (Czech Replubic)

•  2001 – Student Peace Prize ( Norway )

•  2002 – Honorary Citizenship ( Italy )

•  2005 – The Civil Courage Prize ( America )

 

 

 

 
 
Archive
Min Ko Naing