Myo Min Zaw

Myo Min Zaw is a currently-imprisoned Burmese democracy activist considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.^[1]

Myo Min Zaw studied English at the University of Yangon, where he became active in the pro-democracy group All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU).^[2] In December 1996, he participated in a student protest, and following the closing of Burma's universities, remaining involved in the pro-democracy movement.

On 12 September 1998, he was arrested along with Ko Aye Aung for distributing fliers and organizing student demonstrations in Yangon.^[1] Both Ko Aye Aung and Myo Min Zaw alleged that they were subsequently tortured in custody.^[1] At a press conference on 8 October 1998, the government announced that they had discovered a plot by Myo Min Zaw to “create disturbances in support of the National League for Democracy demand to convene parliament and to object to the ongoing university and college examinations”.^[3] Ko Aye Aung and Myo Min Zaw were reportedly denied legal representation at their trial, which was held in Insein prison;^[3] nor, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, were they allowed to speak in their own defense.^[2] Amnesty International further argued that the fairness of their trial was compromised by the press conference given by Burmese officials, in which they presumed the guilt of the two detainees in advance of their trial.^[3] Both men were found guilty, and the court ordered that the sentences for each charge must be served cumulatively, rather than concurrently.^[3] As a result, Ko Aye Aung was sentenced to a 59-year prison term, which he is currently serving in Kale prison in Burma's northwestern Sagaing Region;^[1] Myo Min Zaw was sentenced to 52 years, which he is currently serving in Bassein (Pathein) Prison, East Bassein Township, Irrawaddy Division.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Myanmar, Unlock the Prison Doors!". Amnesty International. http://www.amnestyusa.org/pdf/POC%20List.pdf. Retrieved 17 April 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "AAPP CASE NO.: 159". Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. 3 June 2010. http://www.aappb.org/bio_pdf/Myo_Min_Zaw_bio_3_June_2010.pdf. Retrieved 17 April 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} "MYANMAR: Student Leaders Imprisoned After An Unfair Trial". Amnesty International. http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/pdf/MyoMinZawKoayeAungCaseSheet.pdf. Retrieved 25 April 2011. 

External links

• Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) profile of Myo Min Zaw

Persondata
Name	Myo Min Zaw
Alternative names
Short description	Burmese democracy activist
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death