The political prisoners I interviewed Saturday asked me to share their stories with everyone I know. Here are my reports from those interviews. I am honored that they told me their stories, and humbled by their bravery and sacrifices.
Most of them were members of the NLD, the main opposition party that is led by Aung San Suu Kyi and stands for democracy through non-violence. They bravely expressed their political beliefs in the face of extreme danger, and remain proud to have done so, despite the awful cost to them and their families.
The next time I have to listen to someone in law school or practice brag about their "accomplishments" I'll be thinking of these people. And, every time, I'll be thankful for this opportunity to orient my perspective to the way it should be.
Interview with Yin Min Oo
Former Myanmar Political Prisoner
June 17, 2006
Pre-Trial
Yin Min Oo was the NLD youth leader for his township. He was arrested May 20, 1993 for violating sections 71 and 1221 of the Penal Code (High Treason).
He was arrested by Military Intelligence officers, then sent to the Kyautada MI station. Then he was sent to MI Interrogation Center #6, a detention and interrogation center infamous for the cruel methods used there. Then he was sent to Insein prison.
Interrogations were conducted over a 2 ½ month period. The MI officers tortured him to get him to confess to the charges and reveal information about other NLD leaders. He was beaten with fists and bats. His hands were bound and his head covered with plastic. He was not allowed to sleep for days on end. Finally, he was kept in complete isolation for months.
He did not ask to see a lawyer or his family. His family lived far away and did not know about his detention.
Trial
At the joint trial for both accused offenses, Yin Min Oo was not represented by a lawyer. The government's position was presented by a lawyer he thinks worked for MI. He was not given the opportunity to present witnesses or evidence.
He was found guilty of both charges. He was given a life sentence for the Section 1221 charge and 3 years for the Section 71 violation. He had no opportunity to appeal.
Post-Trial
In prison, he was isolated for one month. After that, he was put into an 8' x 8' room that he shared with 2 other prisoners. They were only allowed to leave the room for a total of 45 minutes each day. They lived in this room for four years.
He said that he was given adequate amounts of food in prison, but the food was not nutritious food. He was not forced to do hard labor or any jobs in the prison.
Yin Min Oo reported that there was inadequate medical care in prison. When he was sik, there were few medicines, and they were only administered by unskilled workers. The ICRC gave the prison quality medicines to use, but these were sold by the prison authorities. They bought cheaper, less effective Chinese medicines to use instead and pocketed the difference in money.
His family was allowed to visit him once a month for 12 years. A warden supervised each visit and kept a written record of their conversations. They also recorded them with video cameras.
Yin Min Oo said the prisoners' treatment varied depending on the amount of international pressure placed on the junta. The more pressure, the better prisoners were treated. The influence of the ICRC was also important. He said conditions improved after ICRC visits started in 1999. They asked about the conditions, healthcare, food, and treatment in the prison. Before that, the prisoners had no right to read books or play cards. The ICRC does not visit the prison now, and Yin Min Oo knows that some of the guards prevent prisoners from reading books or playing cards.
In 1997, his sentence was reduced to 10 years. He was released in December 2004, after a total of 12 years in prison. He was followed by MI officers every day after his release. He left Burma in August 2005.
Interview with Ish We Sin Nyu
Former Myanmar Political Prisoner
June 17, 2006
Ish We Sin Nyu was an NLD member. She was the Insein Township Youth Leader. She was arrested two times, both for political crimes.
First Arrest
Pre-Trial
Ish We Sin Nyu was arrested as a high school student for participating in a protest in 1989.
She was arrested along with 5 other girls. In detention, each was sexually abused by the MI officers who questioned them. She was also subjected to a full-body cavity search and beaten to unconsciousness. Her prison cell was located next to the room where the prisoners with leprosy were kept.
Trial
She was tried by a military tribunal. She was not allowed to see a lawyer and not allowed to appeal her case. She was detained for a total of six months, then freed.
Second Arrest
Pre-Trial
Ish We Sin Nyu was accused of planning and carrying out a bombing in 1995.
As soon as she was arrested, she was taken to MI Interrogation Center #6. She was kept blindfolded, and was not allowed food or water for 3 days. She did not confess, but another NLD member arrested at the same time did confess under torture.
Trial
She was arrested and tried along with 40 other people. There was no lawyer to represent any of them at the trial. None of them were allowed to speak to defend themselves at the trial.
At the time of the bombing, Ish We Sin Nyu was staying at another NLD member's house in another part of Burma, far from the site of the bombing. She wanted to have this person testify at the trial, to offer evidence of her alibi, but this was not permitted.
Since the government had no evidence that she was involved with the bombing, they then accused her of criminal activity for participating in a student strike. She had made a speech and sang songs of revolution.
Post-Trial
Ish We Sin Nyu was not allowed to appeal her sentence. She was taken to Insein prison, then Chanouri. At Insein, she was allowed to visit with her family for 15 minutes every 2 weeks. The other prison allowed her the same opportunity, but her family lived far away, so they could only visit once every 2 months or so.
She was kept in a cell all alone, and the cell had many snakes. Initially, she was only allowed to read religious books, but after an ICRC visit, her family was allowed to bring her other types of books. She was not beaten in prison, but she reported that her friend was beaten because guards found money in her cell.
She got malaria. Out of modesty, she and several other female prisoners asked to be treated by a female nurse or doctor, but their request was refused. She often suffered from low blood pressure, but refused treatment from the prison doctor because she knew he was not qualified.
She was released in September 2002, after more than 6 years in prison. She was followed by MI officers every day after his release. She left Burma in September 2004.
Interview with Aung Myat Thu
Former Myanmar Political Prisoner
June 17, 2006
Pre-Trial
Aung Myat Thu participated in a student demonstration in Rangoon in 1998. He was arrested during a demonstration where he distributed pamphlets and called for the government to release political prisoners.
He was arrested along with 70 other students. He was not beaten during the interrogation period because he was part of a second group of students arrested. He was not allowed food, water or sleep for two days. He was interrogated continuously through that time.
Trial
All 70 students tried at once. The students were not allowed to hire a lawyer. They also felt that there was no point in doing so, that there was no hope of acquittal. They were given an opportunity to explain their actions and defend themselves, but no one did.
Aung Myat Thu said that the judge was constantly on the phone with SPDC authorities during the trial, waiting to hear what sentences he should give each of the accused. The sentences ranged from 7 to 52 years. Aung Myat Thu was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Post-Trial
Aung Myat Thu did not have the opportunity to appeal his sentence. He was kept in Insein prison for one year, then Moulmein prison for 13 years. He had a cellmate for two months, and was kept alone the rest of the time. He was allowed only 45 minutes outside the cell each day for the first two years, and 4 hours each day thereafter.
His family was allowed to bring him religious books. After an ICRC visit, they were able to bring other types of books as well.
He was released in July 2005, after 7 years, by an SPDC order. Today, only 5 of the original 70 students arrested are sill in prison. He left Burma in September 2005.
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Interview with Thet Niang
Former Myanmar Political Prisoner
June 17, 2006
First Arrest
Pre-Trial
Thet Niang was arrested in 1990 for attempting to form teacher and student unions to protest elections. He organized demonstrations around Burma calling for the release of political leaders from prison, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
During the interrogation period, he was shocked with an electric gun, and slashed across the face with various weapons.
Post-Trial
He was sent to Insein Prison.
Second Arrest
Pre-Trial
Thet Niang was arrested again in December 1997 for staging a demonstration calling for rights for laborers, including increased salaries and the right to form trade union.
Trial
At trial, Thet Niang was not allowed to speak to the judge or be represented by a lawyer. He was found guilty and sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Post-Trial
Thet Niang was not allowed to appeal his case. He was placed in solitary confinement for one month. For six years, he was only allowed out of his cell for 15 minutes each day, for bathing.
He was only allowed to read religious books, but his family smuggled him other types of books. After an ICRC visit, they were allowed other types of books.
He reported that many prisoners got the flu and other serious diseases, but were not given proper medical care.
After his release in November 2005, the MI detained him for questioning 2 or 3 times a week. They also took pictures and videos of his family members, which greatly restricted their ability to travel. Left Burma in December 2005. His niece was recently arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
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