POLITICAL PRISONERS

Min Ko Naing

Min Ko Naing is one of the most well-known political dissidents in Burma. Min Ko Naing's interest in politics began at the Rangoon Arts and Science University in the mid-1980s where he studied Zoology. Min Ko Naing formed and organized the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), a nationwide student union to oppose decades of illegitimate military rule.

Min Ko Naing has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, under Section 5(j) of the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act, vaguely-worded legislation which is frequently used to imprison political prisoners. During his detention, Min Ko Naing has been severely tortured and ill-treated and his health suffered as a consequence.In 19 November 2004, he was released from prison, after being imprisoned for 15 years.

After almost two years of his release in 2004, Min Ko Naing, along with other four leading student leaders, was rearrested in late September of 2006. The authorities released Min Ko Naing on January 11, 2006. He was arrested again around midnight on 21 August 2007, with other 13 leaders of the 88 Generation Students for organizing peaceful demonstrations. Min Ko Naing has been sacrifice his life for the freedom of Burma.

Ko Ko Gyi

Ko Ko Gyi is one of the student leader who believes that there should be an organization to protect students' rights and enter politics after the incidents in March 14, 15 and 16, 1988 in the university. He was Vice Chairperson In All Burma Federation of Student Unions , which was founded on August 18, 1988. He was sentenced to jail for 20 years because of the 10 D activity that is December 10, 1991, a ceremony to honour Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for receiving the Noble Peace Prize. In late September 2006, he was arrested along with other student leaders. After release on 11 January 2007, he was rearrested again in 21 August 2007. He is fighting for his country to become the true develop country and sacrifice throughout his life in Jail.

Myo Yan Naung Thein

Myo Yan Naung Thein is one of the student leaders with his firm determination in restoration of democracy in Burma. He is the prominent student leader and due to his leading role in 1996 December Student Demonstrations, he was sentenced to prison for 7 years by military government in 1997. He is the leading members of the 88-generation student and he has been working for democratisation of Burma for very long time.

Speaking English, French and Spanish very fluently, and he always plays vital role in struggle for freedom in Burma. He was actively participated in 2007 Saffron revolution. Because of his political activities: military government monitor him very closely all the time. On 14th December2007, he was arrested second time and charged him under emergency political act 5(J) and he is now in Insein prison. During interrogations, he was severely tortured and he sacrificed his life for people of Burma.

Min Min Soe (a) Min Min


Min Min Soe (a) Min Min is the prominent student leader of 1988 uprising who sacrificed his life for the cause of democracy and human rights in Burma. He was one of the General Strike Committee leader at Rangoon General Hospital during the 1988 uprising and one of the founding member of ABFSU together with Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Aung Naing, Win Moe and other colleagues.

He founded the party, League of Youth Student Democratic Front (LYSDF), together with Toe Kyaw Hlaing and Kyaw Thu Thein. He was arrested in 1990 and sentenced to prison for ten years due to his leading role in the movement honouring Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of receiving Nobel Peace Prize also known as 10D movement. After releasing from prison, he committed his life to restore deocracy in Burma and actively participated in 2007 Saffron Revolution. On 14 December 2007, he is arrested again and now in Insein prison.

Myo Aung Thant


Myo Aung Thant was arrested in June 1997 and got a 20-year prison sentence because of his union activity for the Federation of Trade Unions-Burma (FTUB). He is now in Myitkina prison, where he's being held in solitary confinement, a 7 x 9 cell that has no bed. Myitkina prison is in Kachin state in Burma's far north where temperatures in the cells are often below freezing. Myo Aung Thant suffered severe torture, then a secret trial followed by more beatings. He had no access to any independent counsel or to due process. Above all, his only 'crime' was to be a union leader.

Myo Aung Thant has been in the forefront of the Burmese workers movement trying to protect workers from the oppression and violence of the Burmese military junta. He is a member of the All Burma Petro-Chemical Corporation Union, formed in 1988 and member of the executive board of FTUB. He was awarded 2006 INTERNATIONAL GIULIO PASTORE AWARD FOR THE HUMAN AND LABOUR RIGHTS for his dedication and sacrifice to build the path toward democracy and full respect for human and workers rights. Myo Aung Thant was charged by the military junta with high treason for his trade union activity and for maintaining contacts with the FTUB. His wife was arrested at the same time and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment as an accomplice to her husband.

Nilar Thein

Nilar Thein joined the Burma democracy movement as a high school student in 1988 as a member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions. Nilar Thein spent eight years in jail from 1996 to 2003 for her political activity. Her husband spent 16 years in prison after 1988. Her husband Kyaw Min Yu, known as Jimmy, is in the notorious Insein Prison. A prominent activist since the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, he played a prominent role in the first street demonstrations in Rangoon in August.

Nilar Thein herself has been detained by Burmese authorities two times before. Her first arrest was in 1991, when she was jailed for two months. Her second arrest was in December 6, 1996, during a student demonstration. During the demonstration she slapped the face of a high ranking police officer who tried to block her way in the march. She was sentenced to seven years imprisonment under Act of 5 (j), an emergency security act, and another three years imprisonment under Act 332 for slapping a policeman. She was released on July 6, 2005. She was detained in Insein and Tharrawaddy prisons.