Detained prisoners of conscience in (r)

[kzy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Dear Ko Myint Hlaing,
	Thank for bringing up the matter.  I believe that there are many
other not-known political prisoners in Burma.  There are millions of
forced labourers in various construction sites and as porters.  They are
really like slave and even beaten to death when they are not beneficial.
They are not given enough food and never given proper shelters and
treatment.  I have never seen anyone wrote that he was worried because
they have been exposed under sun all day working under unbearable
conditions.  I love Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi and her dedication and her
courage.  However, I feel awark for over concerns.  
	One thing I am wondering is that many organizations think it is
time to issue statements and statement flooding occurs on the net.  I
doubt how effective those statements are to release those who got
arrested, to stop restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to stop
everything.  Is there any other way we can do something for all in Burma
except issuing statements, as some ask on the net?  If statement does
work, may be we all issue personal or individual statemetns and flood the
net.  I don't know SPDC will care it or not.  Can't we find other ways to
help?  I really would like to join doing something else.  Hope you are
well.

Yours sincerely,
Kyaw Zay Ya



On 13 Aug 1998 mhlaing@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Dear netters,
>   When 18 foreigners were arrested in Burma for distributing leaflets, the
> whole net has been flooded with condemnation or appeal to SPDC to release
> them immediately. Don't worry!  They will be OK.  Their respective
> governments will do their best for their freedom or at least lineancy from
> SPDC.  If you want to protest in front of the embassy with 18 candle
> light, that's OK too. Don't worry about Daw ASSK, who is sitting in the
> van with enough food and water. She'll be safe and sound.  If you want to
> write endlessly your concern on the net as the sky is falling on earth right
>  away, that's OK too. When two and only two of so-called FTUB members were
> arrested recently the whole damn naive labor unions from different
> countries condemned the SPDC and urged for their immediate release.
>   Let's get real. There are about 1500 (maybe more) political prisoners
> in different prisons in Burma. Less than 5% of them are from NLD.  How
> about the rest?  The truth of the matter is they were technically
> forgotten. Maybe sometimes they would be mentioned roughly and
> superficially in looking-good-statements issued by different
> organizations, urging military government to release political prisoners
> unconditionally.  That's about it. Those prisoners were true unsung heros.
> They have been in prisoners since 1988. Among them, the true labors
> leaders (not fake ones like Maung Maung), students, monks, intellectuals,
> and people who have been in struggle against milatary/one-party
> dictatorship for their whole life. Good people, nice people, family
> people,dedicated people, respected people.  At the same time, they are
> little guys without big names. I just wonder why 1500 candles light cannot
> be lit in front of Burmese embassies.
>   Let me tell you two tragic stories of two families.  If you want, I can
> tell you so many stories of unsung heroes.  Dr. Zaw Min has been in prison
> since 1988 for his active role in 1988 uprising.  His younger brother, Zaw
> Khine was also arrested and became a person with mental problem because of
> torture he received in Jail. He came to border area and disappeared.
> Another brother Zaw Htun, a final year medical student of Institute of
> Medicine II, participated during 1988 uprising very actively, was killed
> by so-called revolutinary ethnic armed group in the jungle for his
> different view with people in power in jungle. How could their parents
> get consoled for their unspeakable loss.
>  Another sad story was about Daw Kyi Kyi, wife of Thakin Zin who had given
> his whole life for fighting military government, until he was killed by
> army in his last battle at Pegu Yoma, her daughter Ma Don, Ma Don's
> husband Ko Moe Win who was detained a considerable numers of years several
> times prior to 1988, and Ko Moe Win's father U Soe Win, the brother of Bo
> Zay Ya (Thirty commarades member). Daw Kyi Kyi was over 70 years old and
> techanically blind. What kind of harm can this frail and weak old woman
> bring to SPDC? U Soe Win passed away in jail.  U Soe Win's friend, Bo Set
> Yaung who is father of my brotherly friend Ko Khin Maung Thaw, once a
> political prisoner in1970s), also passed away in jail. Another two
> persons, who were friends of them, namely U Khin Maung Myint and U Nyo Win
> also passed away in prison. The last two persons were 1962 students
> leaders and founder of People Progressive Party, banned by SLORC before
> 1990 election. Their friend, U Hla Shwe, one of 1962 student leaders, was
> still in prison since 1988.  He was arrested more than three times and
> served long-term imprisonment prior to his last arrest. I can tell you
> endless stories of other prisoners for their dedication for the cause. As
> a former political prisoner, I can see their situation in jail and
> shattered family life of theirs. 
>   Don't cry for Daw ASSK and 18 foreigners.  You know they be OK. Just cry
> for those unsung heroes in prisoners.  They don't have international
> support and voice behind them. I hope this article will contribute in some
> ways for their freedom and family reunion.
>   I salute them with all my heart and tears. This article is dedicated to
> them. 
> 
> Myint Hlaing
> 
> 
>