‘He was utterly dedicated to the revolution’ — Radio Free Asia

On July 23, 2022, Myanmar’s navy junta executed three activists and a former lawmaker for persevering with to combat for democracy after the navy ousted the nation’s democratically elected authorities within the Feb. 1, 2021 coup.

Amongst them was veteran democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu, a author and translator higher referred to as Ko Jimmy,  who was a outstanding chief of the pro-democracy 88 Era College students Group who fought navy rule three many years in the past.

He was arrested in October 2021 after spending eight months in hiding and was convicted in a closed-door trial by a navy tribunal in January below the Counter-Terrorism Regulation.

Ko Jimmy was accused of contacting the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Nationwide Unity Authorities (NUG), and Folks’s Protection Forces (PDF) an opposition coalition and militia community fashioned by politicians ousted within the coup.

The junta additionally mentioned he suggested native militia teams in Yangon and ordered PDF teams to assault police, navy targets, and authorities places of work, and asking the NUG to purchase a 3D printer to provide weapons for native militias.

The executions of Ko Jimmy, Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw have been decried by UN Particular Rapporteur on the Scenario of Human Rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, as “wicked acts,” whereas U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken known as the executions “reprehensible acts of violence.” 

One yr after the execution, Radio Free Asia’s Burmese Service interviewed Ko Jimmy’s widow Nilar Thein. She mentioned the sacrifices her husband made for the nation.

The interview has been edited for size and readability.

RFA: It’s been a yr since Jimmy and the opposite three political activists have been executed by the junta. How has the previous yr with out him affected you?

Nilar Thein: For the reason that time he was executed, we have now suffered, grieved and are in nice ache. However I’ve turned these emotions into power to proceed his combat. I imagine that I’ve one new accountability: to dwell his dream and work even more durable.

RFA: What have you ever been doing as of late?

Nilar Thein: I’m shouldering as a lot accountability for the revolution as I can. I’m engaged on duties which might be appropriate for my age and state of affairs with a willpower that no matter I do, no matter the place I’m, should strengthen the revolution. 

RFA: Experiences from Myanmar say that the junta forces proceed acts of violence and violate human rights in prisons and everywhere in the nation. What’s your opinion on that?

Nilar Thein: For my part, I can say one factor that that is the junta’s final second. Their brutality and cowardice have turn out to be worse. The revolutionary forces are accountable for extra areas of the nation as of late, so in response the junta’s actions have turn out to be much more brutal and cowardly. We proceed to witness their critical violations of human rights.

RFA: What’s your view in direction of younger folks against the junta?

Nilar Thein: A era was born in the course of the spring revolution. This era sacrificed their hopes, goals, future and even their lives and took half within the revolution in any manner they will to attempt to deliver an finish to this navy dictatorship. Their involvement within the revolution, their concepts, opinions and their efficiency have been acknowledged, applauded and idolized globally. 

RFA: I’d prefer to ask a bit of about Jimmy. Did he not know the way a lot hazard he may very well be in by persevering with to remain in Yangon? And if he did, why did he stay in Yangon?

Nilar Thein: Since Jimmy left residence on the morning of the navy coup till he was arrested, he solely stayed in Yangon. After seeing youthful activists and youngsters being slaughtered by the junta, he mentioned that when youthful individuals who have been as younger as his personal youngsters have been sacrificing their lives, previous males like him who can dwell or die at their age must take part. He was so desirous to work collectively, networking with city guerrilla teams, younger folks from scholar unions and different organizations. He was utterly dedicated to the revolution. That’s not as a result of he didn’t know the hazard he may very well be in. I knew what bother he can be in. However he labored his greatest for the revolution whereas he nonetheless may. 

RFA: What sort of affect do you suppose the sacrifice that Jimmy and different activists made has had on the combat for democracy?

Nilar Thein: After we heard that Jimmy, Phyo Zayar Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw have been executed by the junta, it was not only a risk to their households alone. It was not only a risk to our nation alone. But it surely was a risk to the entire world. Consequently, all our folks have turn out to be extra strenuous of their revolutionary acts with a decision that they won’t give in to the junta’s execution of their leaders. They labored more durable and took up obligations the place they may. Those that couldn’t take part on the entrance traces supplied even a handful of rice or a cup of water, no matter they may help the revolution. Those that can present provides for the revolution have labored more durable for the trigger. Though the junta has tried to threaten the folks with these executions, we have now turn out to be extra fearless and extra rebellious towards the navy. 

RFA: We’ve heard information that the navy junta that when gave loss of life sentences now doesn’t even trouble to prosecute political prisoners in court docket and kills them after taking them out in a faux jail switch. What’s your view towards such actions of the navy junta?

Nilar Thein: We’ve heard recently that the junta has killed prisoners … after taking them out in a faux jail switch. So now, I’ve realized that the phrase jail switch may imply an execution. Since native and worldwide communities critically condemned the junta’s execution of political prisoners, I believe they now attempt to keep away from official execution that may trigger criticism. So that they lawlessly kill our comrades on the purported excuse that they tried to flee. We heard as of late that the junta killed our comrades from Insein, Tharyarwaddy and Dike-U prisons throughout transfers. The truth that the junta doesn’t even trouble to formally execute prisoners like earlier than and lawlessly murders them as an alternative, signifies how the navy junta is oppressing the folks with none regard to legislation and rules in our nation. I want to urge the worldwide group to sentence these atrocious acts by the navy junta and stand with the folks. 

RFA: Would you inform us about your daughter? What’s she doing as of late and the way has she understood what sort of particular person her father was?

Nilar Thein: My daughter takes half in volunteering actions and in addition teaches youngsters. She loves her father very a lot and her father beloved her so dearly too. She mentioned that her father helped different folks greater than himself as a politician, a selfless and accountable one who didn’t oppress others together with his energy of management and somebody who defies unjustness. As a father, although he won’t wholly settle for the views of younger folks, he confirmed respect. He frolicked with them. He supported his daughter’s pursuits and actions. He didn’t put stress on our daughter relating to her research. Jimmy made time for his daughter even when he was very busy. What he used to inform her usually was that any consequence she received was ok as a result of she tried her greatest relating to her exams and competitions. Our daughter mentioned that her dad was a politician who beloved the humanities. 

RFA: How would you consider the standing of the combat for democracy as of late?

Nilar Thein: Through the previous two years, there have been many sectors that we needed to attempt to rebuild after being completely destroyed. I’ve seen that those that have taken accountability for this are working so exhausting, going through a variety of problem to rebuild and readjust and take a look at to have the ability to attain the worldwide group. They’ve achieved some success and power however there are nonetheless many issues and weaknesses on this facet too. We settle for the existence of those issues. We’re going to cooperate with a optimistic mindset that we’ll do what we will for the revolution. 

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Edited by Eugene Whong.