Interview with democracy activist Nyi Nyi Aung

Thursday, 18 March 2010 22:25 Mizzima News

Bangkok (Mizzima) - "People must know how to take responsibility and how to perform their duty. We should stand as human beings and work for mankind" (Nyi Nyi Aung - March 18, 2010)

Burmese-American citizen and democracy activist Nyi Nyi Aung (a) Kyaw Zaw Lwin, who was arrested in September last year and sentenced to three years in prison, was released today by the Burmese junta. He arrived at the Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International airport this evening on his way to home in Maryland in the United States. He was in detention in Burma for six months. His mother Daw San San Tin, is serving a five year term in prison for her political activities during the 2007 monk-led protests in the country.. Mizzima reporter Sai Zuan Sai interviewed him a few minutes after he landed at the Bangkok airport today.

Q: Did you know about your release in advance?

A: I got the feeling. They transferred me back to Insein prison yesterday from (prison in) Pyi township. And then I felt that I might be released but I didn’t know for certain I would be freed soon. Only this morning, they took me to the prison office at the main entrance and I saw the Prison Superintendent and officials from the US embassy. Then I realized I would be released.

Q: How did they inform you about your release?

A: They told me that I would be released when they called out from my room but it’s not certain yet. Then I saw diplomats and the Prison Superintendant when I reached the prison office. I also saw police officials from the Police Special Branch (SB), photographers and officials from the Immigration Department. Then we discussed my release in detail. I knew about my release only this morning.

Q: Who worked for your release and why were you freed? What do you think about it?

A: I believe and I hope this is because of the global attention and focus on the release of political prisoners in Burma. This is the concerted effort of the international community and friends of Burma across the world. My release from prison is the result of concerted efforts and synergy of not only Burmese people but also by other foreigners. That’s the way I see it.

Q: Did you have to give an undertaking to the SPDC for your release?

A: There’s no undertaking. But I had to sign on the paper, which was signed by Home Minister Maung Oo, which says I acknowledge, I agree to serve the remaining sentence if I am arrested again.

Q: We heard that there was an expulsion order, deportation order. Is it true?

A: Yes, in my passport, there was a deportation order. But there was no word of ‘deportation’ in the bond I had to sign. But I didn’t see my passport, which had been impounded by the Immigration Department earlier. My passport was handed over to me only when I was on board the aircraft. There was this ‘deportation’ stamp on my passport.

Q: Did you suffer persecution in prison?

A: There was only mental trauma in prison. There was no physical torture. They beat me and punched me only while I was being interrogated at interrogation center. There was no beating and torture in prison. But sometimes I faced delay in terms of response to my request made to prison authorities. I was told it was due to financial constraints and lack of staff.

Q: How long was your interrogation period?

A: It lasted 14 days from the date of my arrest. In Burma it is called one Remand period. After this remand, I was sent directly to Insein prison.

Q: Can you tell us how you were tortured during interrogation?

A: I don’t feel like talking about that.

Q: Please tell us the purpose of your visit to Burma?

A: I visited Burma for change in the country - political and social. The people in Burma need such changes.

Q: Now that the electoral laws have been announced. What do you think Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) should do?

A: I’ve just been released and it’s too early to answer this question. It will be more convenient for me to answer only after meeting my friends in exile and members of my pro-democracy groups and discussing with them. I don’t want to make waves. I’ve been released only a few hours ago.

Q: What will you do in future?

A: As I said before, I’ll meet my friends and colleagues in exile and I’ll discuss with them. Then I’ll discuss with the exiled government, NCGUB, led by Dr. Sein Win. This government is constituted by the mandate of the 1990 election result. I’ll talk with such organizations representing the people’s will. I’ll discuss with organizations such as Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB). Only after doing these things, I can answer these questions.

Q: Will you stay in Thailand for the moment?

A: I’ll go back to US for the time being. I need to do many things there. I have to meet many people there. And also I need to take care of my health. I have a minor pain in my legs and I have to go for treatment. Only after these, I’ll decide what to do next. I didn’t feel well for the pain in my leg during my stay in prison. I think it will improve after treatment.

Q: How did you view the SPDC government’s treatment given to you and making false accusations against you?

A: Accusations and discontent cannot solve political issues. The authorities should approach these political issues correctly by correct means. We should think frankly. We should discuss frankly. There might be some stumbling blocks to this discussion in fear of losing face and out of sheer fear. There should be no obstacles between us. There should be no blame game between us. I’d like to say let us work together for the sake of our country through accountability and responsibility. I’d like to see such a scenario. So I’ll try again.

Q: When will you leave for US?

A: I don’t know yet. It will be known in a few minutes. Anyway I’ll go back to US within 24 hours.

Q: What did the Burmese authorities say to you at the Rangoon airport?

A: Nothing. But I got back my passport only after I boarded the aircraft. They escorted me until I reached my seat. But they didn’t say anything to me.

Q: Can you go back to Burma?

A: It’s difficult to answer because they stamped ‘Deported’ on my passport so I think I cannot get a visa again. But they might give visa again to me at an appropriate time. I hope so. Anyway our country will see change. I hope the people will realize their situation and they will change the course of their lives. At that time, my return visit to Burma will not be far away. So I hope I can go back some day.

Q: How do you feel about your release?

A: I cannot enjoy happiness fully and freely as my goal has not yet been reached. I feel happy as I can do more after my release. I’m free now and I’m not in prison anymore. But our people have not yet been released. My friends are not yet released. My mom has not yet been released. I can feel happy fully only when all of them are released from prison.

Q: What do you want to say from your heart to the Burmese people?

A: I’d like to say more to my people. The people must know how to take responsibility and how to perform their duty. We should stand as human beings and work for mankind.