Description:
"Today marks the eighth anniversary of the death of former political prisoner, founding member of the
National League for Democracy, and Hantharwaddy journalist U Win Tin.
For his fearless behavior to free people in Burma from the military dictatorship, U Win Tin was set up
with false charges by the then military junta and given extensive prison sentences. During his time in
prison, the journalist was tormented in many ways and on constant basis, both mentally and
physically. He was evicted from his apartment. He was revoked of his right to receive pension. He
also lost all his teeth due to the torturous interrogation sessions. He was denied nourishment with hard
rice and raw soup for his teeth-less mouth.
U Win Tin developed stomach problems for which he was denied treatment for five whole years. The
prison refused to let him seek treatment for heart issues which became a chronic issue and eventually
led to his death. He documented everything he experienced inside the prison for almost 20 years, with
no one to contact, and enduring isolation inside his cell. In his autobiographical book “What’s that? A
Human Hell”, readers understand the hellish experience U Win Tin endured.
After he was released from the prison, he wore the prison uniform – blue shirt and longyi – to his
death to make a statement, campaigning for the release of all political prisoners. All domestic and
international supporters of Burma’s democratic movement symbolically adorn the blue shirt on April
21, to campaign for the release of political prisoners still inside Burma.
It has been over a year since the military junta attempted to illegally seize power in a coup d’état.
People’s resistance, in many shapes and forms, has continued for over a year. 10,271 political
prisoners, 996 of whom have been sentenced whilst 9,275 await trial, remain unlawfully detained
since the Spring Revolution. The terrorist group has been arbitrarily detaining, torturing and
imprisoning dissidents, so they can have power.
The unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners is the first step to move Burma
forward into a federal democracy. We urge international leaders like at the UN, EU, ASEAN, US,
Japan, and South Korea to put further pressure on the junta to release all political prisoners.
We also request people in Burma to remember that political prisoners remain behind bars and suffer
brutal oppression by the junta. Do not forget them or their family members who face grueling
challenges. Please help them as much you can..."
Source/publisher:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
Date of Publication:
2022-04-21
Date of entry:
2022-04-22
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
Category:
Countries:
Myanmar
Language:
English
Local URL:
Format:
pdf
Size:
404.85 KB
Resource Type:
text
Text quality:
- Good