U Aung Din (The Observer by France 24)
http://observers.france24.com/en/profile/20080625-u-aung-din
I was born and grew up in Burma. I took part in the 1988 uprising and when the authorities regained control I went into hiding for four months. I was then captured and detained for being the Vice Chairperson of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), the largest national student organization and outlawed by the regime. I spent four months in an interrogation centre being tortured and then four years in prison. When I was let out in July 1993 I was followed and harrassed all time. They made it impossible for me to get a job. In 1995 I fled to Singapore. I now live in the US and work as the executive director of the US Campaign for Burma and am also country representative of the Thai-Burma border based “Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma” (AAPP). I doubt I will ever be able to return to Burma.
- Washington DC
- United States
- Burmese, English
- Executive director for the US Campaign for Burma
- U.S. Campaign for Burma
- 26/06/2008 / BURMA (The Observer by France 24)
Burmese comedian Zarganar paying a high price for straight talk
Three weeks after his arrest on June 4, a Burmese comedian known as "Zarganar" remains in an interrogation centre in Rangoon. The junta has as yet given any explanation as to why they arrested Zarganar, but it is assumed that his critical attitude towards the government in the aftermath of the Nargis cyclone has something to do with it. The Burmese comedian, film director and political activist has already been detained three times in the past 20 years. He is an avid and outspoken activist, and his comedy often contains references to the ruling regime. Last year he brought attention to himself by handing out food to the protesting monks in September's clashes.
This time, he was arrested after carrying out a humanitarian aid project that brought together some 400 writers, artists and activists to deliver aid to victims of the cyclone that struck almost two months ago. When asked by the media about his reasons, the comedian spoke openly. He told them that the government wasn't doing anything to help. It has now been three weeks since the 47-year-old was arrested, when ten policemen turned up at his home without warning at 10 pm.
Contributors"I was blindfolded with my hands tied, put in a small room and hit by many people"
U Aung Din is a long-time friend of Zarganar. He was arrested by the Burmese government in 1988 for student activism and spent four years in jail. He fled the country in 1995 but remains in contact with Zarganar. He now works for the US Campaign for Burma.
They just came round, picked him up and threw him in prison. It's how they do it. But it wasn't a surprise. They don't like him because he does a very noble job. The people love him very much, and they hate the government.He's a very courageous person. He's been tortured every time he's been in prison — this is the fourth time. I myself have spent four months in a military interrogation centre. I was blindfolded with my hands tied, put in a small room and hit by many people. Sometimes I became the football on a soccer field. And I couldn't do anything because I was tied up. Then there was being hung upside down from a ceiling. Water torture, too. And the standing up for many hours. Sometimes we would be told to kneel down on the floor, but the floor was made of pieces of glass. Then they'd tell you to crawl and shout and beat you. After all this you'd be left in an empty room with no food for seven days. It was the routine. And when one group's released, another comes in.
Me, I'm scared to go back. That's why I fled. But I believe he'll never leave. He wants to, but he never would. This is someone who could change the country."
