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Myint Aye
Myint Aye
Born	1950
Nationality	Burmese
Occupation	democracy activist
Organization(s)	National League for Democracy; Human Rights Defenders and Promoters
Spouse	La La Win

Myint Aye (born 1950^[1]) is a Burmese democracy activist. In 2002, he co-founded the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network in Burma. After several imprisonments on charges related to his activism, on 29 November 2008, he was given a life sentence for allegedly planning a bomb attack in Yangon's Shwepyitha Township. Amnesty International described the evidence against him as "fabricated" and designated him a prisoner of conscience.^[2] He was released from prison on 19 November 2012, as a gesture of goodwill before a visit by US President Barack Obama.

Background

Myint Aye is an alumnus of the University of Foreign Languages, Yangon. While there in 1989, he married Daw La La Win.^[1]

Democracy activism

Myint Aye has been arrested at least seven times, in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2007.^[1]^[2] In 2002, Myint Aye co-founded the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) network in Burma. He was also active with the opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy, serving as its Yangon vice chairman.^[2] According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, he was dismissed from the NLD in 2005 "for not following the party principles", but remained active with the HRDP.^[1]

Myint Aye was arrested in 2006 for calling for the release of leaders of the 88 Generation Students Group, but was released within weeks; he attributes the swift release to international pressure from groups like Amnesty and Front Line.^[3]

2008 life sentence

Myint Aye was active in bringing aid to Cyclone Nargis survivors in 2008. He was arrested on 8 August following a search of his home;^[2] police reportedly removed him from his father-in-law's home with a black hood over his head.^[4] Initially charged with "misappropriating relief funds",^[5] Myint Aye was later charged with participating in a bomb attack the previous month in Shwepyitha Township. Activists alleged he was tortured while in detention, and Amnesty stated that his trial "fell far short of international fair trial standards". On 29 November 2008, he was sentenced to "life imprisonment plus eight years", which he is serving in Loikaw prison.^[2]

Myint Aye's sentence was protested by several international human rights organizations. The member organizations of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange called the sentencings of Myint Aye, Zarganar, and others a "historical low point" in Burmese free expression and "a clear message that the junta will not tolerate opposition in the lead-up to their alleged 'democratic' 2010 elections."^[6] Front Line stated after his arrest that he appeared to be "targeted as a result of his human rights activities, in particular his work to uphold democracy".^[7] Amnesty named him a prisoner of conscience and in August 2012, selected his case to highlight at the annual Edinburgh Festival.^[8]

Release

On 19 November 2012, U Myint Aye was released just ahead of a visit by US President Barack Obama. Reuters described the move as "clearly timed to show goodwill."^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Political Prisoner Profile: U Myint Aye" (PDF). Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. 14 December 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "U Myint Aye: Amnesty urgent action". The Guardian. 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
^ "Friends in High Places". Newsweek. 24 November 2007. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
^ "Junta continues to detain five protesters for marching on 8888 anniversary". Mizzima. 11 August 2008. Archived from the original on 19 January 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
^ "U Myint Aye to be charged with misappropriating aid". Democratic Voice of Burma. 21 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
^ "Junta Hands Down Ridiculous Prison Sentences in Latest Crackdown on Free Expression". International Freedom of Expression Exchange. 29 November 2008. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
^ "Burma: Arrest of human rights defender U Myint Aye". Front Line. 12 August 2008. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
^ Shabnum Mustapha (5 August 2012). "Shabnum Mustapha: Festival is ideal platform in fight for freedom". Scotland on Sunday. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
^ Matt Spetalnick and Jeff Mason (19 November 2012). "Obama offers praise, pressure on historic Myanmar trip". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 19 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.