Mie Mie
Encyclopedia
Thin Thin Aye is a currently imprisoned Burmese democracy activist who played a leadership role in numerous anti-government protests. Amnesty International
considers her to be a prisoner of conscience
.
, Burma's military ruler. These protests took their name from the date of the largest march, 8-8-88. Mie Mie, a 10th-grade high school student at the time, joined the uprising and became active in the All Burma Federation of Student Unions
. On 7 March 1989, she was arrested for the first time for distributing fliers commemorating the one-year anniversary of the death of Phone Maw, whose killing by security forces helped prompt the previous year's uprising. She was detained for three months, then released. In 1990, she traveled to campaign on behalf of the National League for Democracy
(NLD).
In 1996, Mie Mie was studying at Dagon University
in Yangon when she took part in a protest and was subsequently arrested. She was then imprisoned for seven years in Tharyarwaddy Prison.
. When rising fuel and commodity prices led to widespread unrest in Yangon
in August 2007, the 8888 Generation Students Group played a major role in organizing protests. The largest of these rallies drew over one hundred thousand protesters, most notably a number of Buddhist monks, giving the uprising the popular nickname "The Saffron Revolution" for the color of their robes. The New York Times described Mie Mie as "prominent in photographs and videos of the first small demonstrations", noting that she appeared in the shots "with her fist raised".
Following a government crackdown on protestors, members of the 88 Generation Students Group were swiftly arrested. On 22 August, the day after several 88 Generation leaders had been arrested, Mie Mie led a protest march and then went into hiding. She was arrested herself on 13 October 2007 at a rubber plantation where she was hiding with fellow leaders Aung Thu, Htay Kywe
, Zaw Htet Ko Ko
and Hein Htet.
. On 11 November 2008, she and other 88 Generation members were convicted of four counts of "illegally using electronic media" and one count of "forming an illegal organization", for a total sentence of 65 years in prison apiece. Mie Mie reportedly shouted in response to the judge, "We will never be frightened!"
Amnesty International named her a prisoner of conscience and called on multiple occasions for her release. Human Rights Watch
called for the 2007 protesters to be exonerated and freed, as did Front Line
.
Mie Mie's health is said to be deteriorating as a result of her imprisonment. In 2008, an NLD spokesperson alleged that prison authorities were refusing her proper treatment for her heart condition. Her husband stated that she also suffers from spondylosis
and arthritis
.
magazine that he is allowed one twenty-minute prison visit with his wife per month.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
considers her to be a prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience is a term defined in Peter Benenson's 1961 article "The Forgotten Prisoners" often used by the human rights group Amnesty International. It can refer to anyone imprisoned because of their race, religion, or political views...
.
8888 uprising and 1996 arrest
In the summer of 1988, a series of protests escalated in Yangon and other cities demanding the resignation of General Ne WinNe Win
Ne Win was Burmese a politician and military commander. He was Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974 and also head of state from 1962 to 1981...
, Burma's military ruler. These protests took their name from the date of the largest march, 8-8-88. Mie Mie, a 10th-grade high school student at the time, joined the uprising and became active in the All Burma Federation of Student Unions
All Burma Federation of Student Unions
The All Burma Federation of Student Unions is the umbrella organisation for all the student unions in Burma and is an active voice for academic freedoms and student rights throughout the country...
. On 7 March 1989, she was arrested for the first time for distributing fliers commemorating the one-year anniversary of the death of Phone Maw, whose killing by security forces helped prompt the previous year's uprising. She was detained for three months, then released. In 1990, she traveled to campaign on behalf of the National League for Democracy
National League for Democracy
The National League for Democracy is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September 1988. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi serves as its General Secretary. The party won a substantial parliamentary majority in the 1990 Burmese general election. However, the ruling military junta...
(NLD).
In 1996, Mie Mie was studying at Dagon University
Dagon University
Dagon University , located in North Dagon, Yangon, is one of the largest universities in Myanmar. The university, established in 1993, offers bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts and sciences to full-time, part-time and online students. Dagon University also offers a full-time four-year...
in Yangon when she took part in a protest and was subsequently arrested. She was then imprisoned for seven years in Tharyarwaddy Prison.
Saffron Revolution and third arrest
Following her 2003 release, she became involved with the pro-democracy 88 Generation Students Group88 Generation Students Group
The 88 Generation Students Group is a Burmese pro-democracy movement known for their anti-government activism. Many of its members are currently imprisoned by the Burmese government on charges of "illegally using electronic media" and "forming an illegal organization"...
. When rising fuel and commodity prices led to widespread unrest in Yangon
2007 Burmese anti-government protests
The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma on 15 August 2007...
in August 2007, the 8888 Generation Students Group played a major role in organizing protests. The largest of these rallies drew over one hundred thousand protesters, most notably a number of Buddhist monks, giving the uprising the popular nickname "The Saffron Revolution" for the color of their robes. The New York Times described Mie Mie as "prominent in photographs and videos of the first small demonstrations", noting that she appeared in the shots "with her fist raised".
Following a government crackdown on protestors, members of the 88 Generation Students Group were swiftly arrested. On 22 August, the day after several 88 Generation leaders had been arrested, Mie Mie led a protest march and then went into hiding. She was arrested herself on 13 October 2007 at a rubber plantation where she was hiding with fellow leaders Aung Thu, Htay Kywe
Htay Kywe
Htay Kywe is a currently-imprisoned Burmese pro-democracy activist considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. BBC News describes him as a key member of the 8888 Generation movement.-Background and role in 1988 protests:...
, Zaw Htet Ko Ko
Zaw Htet Ko Ko
Zaw Htet Ko Ko is a Burmese political activist. He is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for his work with the pro-democracy 88 Generation Students Group, and his detention has been criticized by human rights groups including Amnesty International....
and Hein Htet.
Trial and imprisonment
Leading up to her trial, Mie Mie was detained with other activists at Insein PrisonInsein Prison
Insein Prison is located in Yangon Division, near Yangon , the old capital of Myanmar. It is run by the military junta of Myanmar, the State Peace and Development Council, and used largely to repress political dissidents....
. On 11 November 2008, she and other 88 Generation members were convicted of four counts of "illegally using electronic media" and one count of "forming an illegal organization", for a total sentence of 65 years in prison apiece. Mie Mie reportedly shouted in response to the judge, "We will never be frightened!"
Amnesty International named her a prisoner of conscience and called on multiple occasions for her release. Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
called for the 2007 protesters to be exonerated and freed, as did Front Line
Front Line (NGO)
Front Line or The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders is an Irish-based human rights organisation founded in Dublin, Ireland in 2001 to protect human rights defenders at risk, i.e...
.
Mie Mie's health is said to be deteriorating as a result of her imprisonment. In 2008, an NLD spokesperson alleged that prison authorities were refusing her proper treatment for her heart condition. Her husband stated that she also suffers from spondylosis
Spondylosis
Spondylosis is a term referring to degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between the centra of the spinal vertebrae and/or neural foraminae. If this condition occurs in the zygapophysial joints, it can be considered facet syndrome...
and arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
.
Family
Mie Mie married Hla Moe in 1990 and has three children with him. Hla Moe works in a car repair shop and in 2009 told IrrawaddyThe Irrawaddy
This article is about a newsmagazine. For other uses of the term, please see Irrawaddy.For the Second World War battle honour, see Battle of Pokoku and Irrawaddy River operations...
magazine that he is allowed one twenty-minute prison visit with his wife per month.