JPG Magazine: Stories: Interview: The 27/09 in Rangoon

The 27/09 in Rangoon

Interview with Hlaing Moe Than

By Schatteman Pascal

2 January 2008

Explain me your history.

My mame is Hlaing Moe Than, born in Kyaukpadaung Township, Mandalay Division, Burma, on 24, 1971. My father's name is U Than Nyunt and mother's Daw Hla Kyi. There are three siblings, Daw Phyu Phyu Than, Ko Soe Than and Ko Daw Hla. I involved and participated in the Rangoon Institute of Technology Students' demonstrations which happened on March 13, 1988 and June 21, 1988. I organized the students and the poeple, and led to 88 uprising in kyaukpadaung. Then i served as a leader of NLD(Youth) for Mandalay Division. In September 1990, I was detained for three months by Burma. Military Intelligent 1 due to my activities against Military Regime. Because of not answering thier questions, I was seriously beaten in the interrogation center of Burma Military Intelligent 1. Then, i was sent to Mandalay prison. On December 15, 1990, i was released from Mandalay prison. After my release, I organized the students of the Rangoon Institute of Technology and led a demonstration in the institute compound on 10th and 11th, December, 1991. At that time Daw Aung San Suu Kyi got the noble Prize and we demand the Military Regime, to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all the political prisoners, to transfer the state power to the elected body and to get democracy. I led the students and gave a speech. about that then, the Government closed all the universities and detained me from my house on 19th, December, 1991. I was arrested in Military Intelligent 6 for 9 days. They made me mental and physical torture there. Then i was sent to Insien prison. After three months,there, on March 24, 1992. I was sentenced unjusly for fifteen years by court Martial 9/4081/92. Prison authorities placed me in 8'x12' cell with the worst conditions, lack of proper food, healthcare and human rights. After three and half years there, i was transferred to myingyan Prison by train on 25th, June, 1994. In Myingyan prison, i was suffered physical and mental torture and had to live alone in the cell nearly 4 and half years. Under the inferior prision conditions.I released from Myingyan Prison on 14 nov, 1999. I chose as a private tution teacher for my living while. I served as a leader of NLD in my native town, Kyaukpadaung. I went to the villages and explained the villager about Human Right and our dufy forit. I was watched by special police all the time and i faced many difficulties. But i never give up for my desire for democracy and Human Rights.

In 2005, when most the studet leaders of 88 Generation were release, i joined with them and discussed many times how to carry on our movement. So we chose the peaceful way and non-violence. We started our movement by reguesting to the people to weax white shirt, if they want to release all the political prisoners. We get the people's love and belief.

The number of the people who wear white shirts become greater and greater from day to day.

Then, we accelerated our movement by reguesting people to pray to the God Buddha on every Sunday if they would like to free all the political prisoners. We got succes on this time.

On August, by the leading of the 88 Generation student leaders Ko Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Ko Htay Kywe, etc. We walked to the Shwedagon pagoda to pray to the God Buddha, to free all the political prisoners. But we were banned by the security polices on the road. We had to stopped on the road but we faced to the Shwedagon Pagoda and prayed to the God Buddha for all the political prisoners to release. Most of the student leaders were arrested. But Ko Htay Kywe escaped from them. Them, Ko Htay Kywe and i discussed to accelerate our movement again. So we agreed Ko Htay Kywe as a figure student leader for the whole country. I served as a regional student leader in secret.

My region include Mandalay Division and Magwe Division. I walked and followed the buddhist monks together and led the people from 18 Sept to 26 Sept in my region. When i saw that the soldiers and the polices were shooting to the people in Rangoon through the media, i decided to help my people in Rangoon. So i left any native town Kyaukpadaung. On 27 sept and reached Rangoon on 28 morning. Then, i took a rest for 2 hours. After that i made my activities for 9 days in Rangoon. I had to face very dangerous conditions. At night, the soldiers and the security polices are searching the protestors everywhere. So i left Rangoon on 6 Oct and reached Thailand on 7 Oct.

Now, i am still trying hard for my people.

and now that to do you?

Now, i stand free. I stand only for my people and for my desire for Democracy and Human Rights. I stand as a student leader of 88 generation.

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