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2012 Burma Freedom Calendar

Release to Public1 January 2012

Persons of the Year 2011

I. Pro-DemocracyI. A. Inside Burma: 1. Aung San Suu Kyi, NLD

2. Min Ko Naing, 88GS, 65 ½ -year imprisonment (2008, arrested 22 August2007) Insein / Maubin / Kengtung / Thayet prisons

3. Win Tin, NLD4. Zarganar, Thee Lay Thee

5. Ko Ko Gyi, 88GS, 65 ½ -year imprisonment (2008, arrested 22 August2007) Insein / Maubin / Kengtung / Mong Hsat prisons

I. B. Outside Burma: 1. David Tharckabaw, KNU, Thai-Burma border2. Maung Yit, MoeMaKa, USA3. Myo Thein, Director, Burma Democratic Concern, United Kingdom4. Lay Lay, Unknown Ordinary Heroes Award Committee, Japan5. Aung Linn Htut, DSA 20, USA

I. C. Foreigners: 1. Vaclav Havel (5 October 1936 – 18 December 2011), President of Czechoslovakia 1989-1992, President of Czech Republic 1993-2003

2. Mitch McConnell , Senator, Republican Party, Kentucky, USA3. Marty Natalegawa, Foreign Minister, Indonesia4. Alberto Romulo, Foreign Secretary, Philippines5. Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, Tibet

II. Anti-DemocracyII. A. Hardliners: 1. Sr-Gen Than Shwe, Dictator-King

2. Gen Tin Aung Myint Oo, Vice President3. Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Minister of Information and Minister of Culture4. Col Aung Thaung, Secretary of Union Solidarity and Development

Association / Party

5. Maj-Gen Hla Tun, Minister of Finance and Revenue

II. B. Crony Financiers: 1. Tun Myint Naing (a) Steven Lo, Chairman of Asia World Co Ltd.2. Tayza, President and Managing Director of Htoo Trading Company3. Zaw Zaw, Managing Director of Max Myanmar Co Ltd.4. Khin Shwe, President of Zaykabar Company5. Sayar Kyaung (a) Aung Ko Win, Chairman of Kanbawza Bank



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January 2012

1 January (BC 153), New Year’s Day, the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar.1 January (1912), Date of Birth (DOB), Journal Kyaw U Chit Maung (1912-1946), Birthday centennial

1912-2012, a courageous Burmese journalist and editor, native of Okpo, Pegu. His political analyseshelped guide the nation during a turbulent era marked by internal struggles to establish a democracyindependent of Britain in the late 1930s and the Japanese Occupation of the 1940s. Father: U Mya;mother: Daw Saw Yu; wife: Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay; grandson: U Thein Soe.

1 January (1959), DOB, Daw Shwe Zeegwat (a) Myint Myint Khin Pe, co-founder of the Free FuneralService Association in 2001 and “Thukha” charity clinic in 2006. “The FFSS and Thukha Clinic just

want to assist the people and we are willing to do whatever we can to help in the spirit of charity,”

she said. Husband: Kyaw Thu; son: Pyi Thein Kyaw (USA); daughter: Myint Mo Oo (Australia,husband Kyaw Ko Ko).

1 January (2000), death in custody at Tharawaddy prison, Ko Nyunt Zaw, All Burma Federation of StudentsUnion (ABFSU / Ba Ka Tha), All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF / Ma Ka Da Ta),

Henzada, Irrawaddy.4 January (1948, 4:20 AM sharp), Independence Day, Independence from United Kingdom which had

colonized Burma since 1885. The popular sentiment to part with the British was so strong at the timethat Burma opted not to join the British Commonwealth, unlike India or Pakistan.Three Flags:4 January 1948: By U Nu, the first Prime Minister of Burma under the provisions of the 1947

Constitution of the Union of Burma; the independent flag has a red field with a blue rectanglein the left corner with 5 small stars surrounding one large star.

3 February 1974: By Gen Ne win, dictator, the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of theUnion of Burma; the second flag has a red field with a blue rectangle in the left cornerbearing a cog wheel and a rice plant encircled by 14 stars.

21 October 2010: By Gen Than Shwe, dictator-king, the military-sponsored 2008 Constitution of theRepublic of the Union of Myanmar (RUM); the third flag has horizontal stripes of yellow,green and red with a big white star in the middle.

6 January (1995), death in custody at Insein prison, U Kin Sein, Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP), Prome,

Pegu.8 January (1991), death in custody at Insein prison, Insein Hospital, U Sein Win (a) Yangyi Aung (1937-

1991), University Student Union 1959-60, Thongwa Township, Rangoon.10 January (1928), DOB, Penang Sayadaw U Pannya Vamsa, Spiritual Director, Chairman and Co-founder

of International Burmese Monks Organisation, Penang, Malaysia, native of Sin Koo Ywa, WakemaTownship, Irrawaddy, left Burma since 11 December 1957 until the present time.

10 January (1948), Kachin National Day. At the end of World War II, Burma sought Independence from

Great Britain and Kachin leaders took solemn responsibility in partaking in this historic movement.In 1946 General Aung San came to Kachin homeland to discuss the united effort to achieveIndependence from Great Britain. The Kachin leaders were persuaded only on condition that theKachins would be given the same rights of equality with the Burmans and that the exercise of self-determination be granted to the Kachins in their internal affairs. Kachin, which comprises of sixdifferent ethnic groups, including Jinghpaw, Lisu, Rawang, Zaiwa, Laovo and Lashi, gainedstatehood on 10 January 1948 by commemorated with the famous and traditional Manau celebrationat Shatapru ground, Myitkyina, Kachin.

10 January (1973), Lahu Revolution Day.



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11 January (2006), death in custody at Putao prison, U Khin Maung Lwin (a) Nay Min Aung, Green StarsYouth Front, Democracy Party and Patriotic Youth Organisation, Kungyangon, Rangoon.

12 January (1963), Palaung Revolution Day.

14 January (1910), DOB, Sayagyi U Thu Kha (a) Thein Maung (Born: 14 January 1910 – Died: 7December 2005), native of Kyaiklat, six-time Burmese Academy Award winning film director,

writer, song writer, script writer and film actor, U Thu Kha Library in Kyaiklat, Irrawaddy. Thu Khawas profoundly respected for his altruistic attitude and works. He was the founder and president of the Rangoon Division Free Funeral Service Society, which volunteers its funeral services to anyfamily regardless of race, religion or social standing.

15 January, Karenni State Day.

15 January, Naga New Year. Naga New Year Festival is one of the rarest of ceremonies in Burma. Thereare more than 49 different clans with their own distinctive dresses and dialects. They usually gatherannually to celebrate the New Year on January 15. Traditionally Naga festival is held from Jan. 12 to16.

18 January (1991), death in custody at Insein prison, U Tin Maung Win (1941-1991), political prisoner1963-71, 25-year imprisonment (1990) Insein prison, 7-7-62 student uprising, 8-8-88 uprising, Ta

Ka Tha, post-WWII Old Student Leaders Organization, MP, NLD Khayan Township Constituency(2), Rangoon. Wife: Sayama Khin Hlaing Kyu.19 January (1910), DOB, Ludu U Hla (a) Kyipwa Yay U Hla (19 January 1910 – 7 August 1982), native of

Pazun Myaung village near Nyaunglebin, Mandalayan by marriage, husband of, veteran journalist,publisher, chronicler, folklorist and social reformer, Kyipwa Yay (Progress) magazine, Thuriya (Sun)newspaper, Ludu (The People) Journal, Ludu Daily newspaper, political prisoner 1953-56 jailed byAFPFL under U Nu, imprisoned for the fifth time in 1978, Dobama Asiayone, Progress for YouthClub, Asha Lu Nge (Asia Youth), one of the founder of AFPFL, Writers Association of UpperBurma, UNESCO award for literature (1958). Wife: Ludhu Daw Ahmar (1915-2008); sons: Soe Win(1941-67, killed during the CPB purges in the jungle of the Pegu Yoma range of mountains), PoThan Joung (b. 1945, spokesperson of Communist Party of Burma), Nyein Chan (b. 1952, writer NyiPu Lay of short stories and travelogues); daughters: Than Yin Mar (b. 1943, rtd. professor of medicine, writer Dr Mya Myitzu), Tin Win (b. 1947, in charge of Kyipwa Yay Press). One morningin 1948, soon after Burma gained her independence from the British, the Kyipwa Yay Press inMandalay was dynamited to rubble by government troops who were angry that the Ludu coupleappeared to be sympathetic to the Communists. The entire family, including two pregnant women,was thrown out into the street, lined up and was about to be gunned down when a number of monksand locals successfully intervened to save their lives. He opposed the British colonial rule andsuccessive military dictatorships and paid dearly for his fights for truth and human rights.

20 January (1898), DOB, U Abdul Razak (a) Maung Maung Gyi (20 January 1898 – 19 July 1947), nativeof Meiktila, Mandalay, B.A. (NAT), National Hero, Martyr, teacher, MP 1945 AFPFL Mandalay,Minister of Education and National Planning in Aung San’s Cabinet, chairman of the Burma Muslim

Congress, headmaster of Mandalay National High School, the Muslim of Burma.20 January (1926), DOB, Gen Saw Bo Mya (20 January 1926 – 24 December 2006), Karen National

Liberation Army, Karen National Union, DAB, NDF, NCUB.22 January (1909, Friday), DOB, U Thant (22 January 1909 – 25 November 1974), native of Pantanaw,

former UN Secretary General (1961-71), military regime critic “Governments, systems, ideologies

come and go, but it is humanity which remains.” 22 January (2009), death in custody at Insein prison, Ven. U Arnanda (1948-2009), Thitsa Tharaphu

monastery, North Okkalapa, Rangoon.23 January, Chinese New Year (according to lunar calendar 4710, Year of the Dragon).23 January, Lahu New Year (according to lunar calendar, usually coincides with the Chinese New Year).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar_Academy_Award

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_director

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_writer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Script_writer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_actor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_actor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Script_writer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_writer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_director

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar_Academy_Award



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24 January (2000), Ratchaburi Provincial Hospital Siege without harming any patients, Thailand. God’s

Army and Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors: Myint Thein, Hla Myint, Naung Khan, Kyaw Kyaw, Maung Htoo, Mohammad, Toe Toe, Myint Oo, Nyunt Shwe, and Saw Nya Twa, wereexecuted after surrendering by the Thai military. They demanded that doctors treat their woundedand Thailand end its backing of the Burmese government attacks.

27 January (1947), Aung San-Atlee Agreement, Bo Aung San began negotiating with the British labourPrime Minister Clement Atlee and successfully concluded the Aung San-Atlee Agreement,promising full independence for Burma within one year. “I hope for the best but prepared for theworst,” said he.

27 January (1961), DOB, Ko Zarganar (meaning “Tweezer”) (a) Ko Thura, Burma’s best-known comedian,movie/video director, dentist graduated 1985 (17 batch), patriot, political prisoner 1988-89, 1990-94Insein prison and 45+14 minus 24-year imprisonment (2008, released 12 October 2011) Insein / Myitkyina prisons for attempting to deliver aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis, 8-8-88 uprising,Saffron Revolution 2007, 2008 Cyclone Nargis Humanitarian, Lillian Hellman and Dashiel Award1991, Human Right prize Canadian PEN 2008, Freedom to Create Imprisoned Artist prize (2008,Canada), Reporters Without Borders award (2008 Cyber-dissident category), Human Right prize

British PEN / Pinter (2009). Wife: Lwin Mar Oo, USA; son: Myat Kaung, USA; daughter: Nge OoMon, USA; father: Nan Nyunt Swe (1923-2010); mother: Kyi Oo (1925-2009); sister-in-law: MaNyein. Health condition: Hypertension, hepatitis and bad kidneys. He had been barred indefinitelyfrom performing and making a living as a comedian 1994 and an artist 14 May 2006, passportdenied June 2006. Cat-and-Mouse Game: There are always under-the-table jokes and behind-the-curtain humor, 2006. We artists get money from the people. The people cry, we cry. The peoplelaugh, we laugh. The people hate, we hate. We must stand in front of the people. We must sacrificefor the people. Theme: All enemies must be my friends, 2007.

28 January (2004), death in custody at Toungoo prison, Toungoo Hospital, U Sein Tin (a) Shein Tin, Anti-Fascist People Freedom League (AFPFL), Burma Communist Party (BCP), People’s Progressive

Party, Rangoon.29 January (1999), death soon after release from Mandalay Ohbo prison, Ven. U Yewata (a) Yawada,

General Secretary of Thangha Thamaggi, Mandalay.31 January (1947), Karen Revolutionary Day, Saw Ba U Gyi laid down four basic principles: (1)

Surrender is out of the question, (2) We shall retain our arms, (3) Recognition of Karen State mustbe complete, and (4) We shall decide our own political destiny.

February 2012

2 February (1913), DOB, U Ohn Maung, (2 February 1913 – 19 July 1947, Martyrs’ Day), native of MinbuMagwe, National Hero, Martyr, Eastern Mandalay wun dauk 1939, cabinet secretary of Bogyoke

Aung San.5 February (1911), DOB, U Law Yone (a) Edward Michael “Ed” Law -Yone ( February 1911 27 June

1980), native of Myitkyina, Kachin, author, founder and notable publisher of the Rangoon Nation,the leading English Language daily in post-war Burma, Editor of Guardian Newspaper, Chief Editorof The Working People’s Daily, political prisoner 1962-67, revolutionary politician, EC member of Union of Burma Boy Scouts, chairman and executive committee of the Old Peterites Association,Parliamentary Democracy Party, Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and CreativeCommunication Arts 1959, die in Maryland, USA. Author Wendy Law-Yone is his daughter in UKand actress Jocelyn Seagrave is his granddaughter. In his Times obituary in 1980, the year of his



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death: “He was the first independent newspaper editor of free, postwar Burma, and also, to date, thelast.”

5 February (1947), Founding Day of Karen National Union (KNU).5 February (1952), DOB, Sayar Nyi Pu Lay (a) Nyein Chan (a) Bo Nyo, son of Ludu U Hla and Ludu Daw

Ahmar, native of Mandalay, well-known short story writer, artist, photographer, political prisoner

1978, 10-year imprisonment (1990) Insein / Thayet prisons.5 February (1961), Kachin Revolutionary Day. Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and its armedwing Kachin Independence Army (KIA) were founded on February 5, 1961 by Zau Seng and hisbrothers Zau Tu and Zau Dan along with hundreds of Kachin youth in northern Shan State.We would like to urge our comrades to: raise your revolutionary spirit, as a new generationrevolution progresses; strengthen your political stand, as the revolution advances; solidarity underone political goal of restoring the rights to the Kachin people to determine their own politicaldestiny; cooperate with and extend a helping hand to the Kachin by various means; maintaincoordination with fellow ethnic nationalities and political forces; struggle on relentlessly untilvictory is achieved. The revolution and struggle of the Kachin people shall be definitely triumph.2006

7 February (1947), Shan National Day. The date 7th February 1947 is a defining moment for us in therecord of our history as a modern nation. On that day, Shan princes and the people’s representativesof the Shan States demonstrated their newfound unity to declare it a “national day” which werefollowed by the resolutions of “Shan National Anthem”, “Shan National Flag” and the formationof “Shan State Council” on the 11th and 15th of February, 1947 respectively. These had been donewithout reference to the British colonial overlords, who claimed protector ship over the FederatedShan States since 1886-87 (one year after the fall of the Burman kingdom and the Alaungpaya orKonbaung dynasty). The formation of the Shan State Council by Shan leaders autonomously of theBritish represents a declaration by the Shan that they are a sovereign, free nation. This bold actionconstitutes a Shan declaration of independence from foreign rule, and the date, 7th February 1947,marks the entry of the Shan people onto the world’s historical stage as a modern nation. The peopleof Shan States and leaders decided in this very year later at Panglong, on the 12th of February, to join with U Aung San and the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League and leaders of othernationalities, to live together under one flag as co-independent and equal nations. This marks thebirth of a nation-state now known as “Union of Burma”.

8 February (1947), Mon National Day (according to lunar calendar Tabodwe – Maik by Mon – WaningDay 1), the founding of Mon Kingdom Hongsawatoi by Sammala and Vimala in 1116 of theBuddhist Era or 573 CE.

9 February (1953), DOB, Ma Taw (a) Taw Myo Myint (9 February 1953 – 14 March 2005), native of Maymyo, human rights activist, 8-8-88 uprising, Free Burma Movement, engaged in civildisobedience at a UNOCAL facility. During the Los Angeles City Council Human Rights Award(2005) she said, “I am honored and happy to receive this award. This award is given not only for me but also for the people of Burma. They are not free yet. I promise to fight for human rights and

democracy in Burma till I die.”, California, USA. She was one of the royal descendents of King

Mindon, Burma’s last Yadanabon Dynasty and the patron of Burma Compatriots. Survivors include

her husband Khin Maung Shwe and daughter Htet Htet. 9 February (1972), Akha Revolution Day.10 February (1909), DOB, Sayagyi Minthuwun (a) U Wun (10 February 1909 – 15 August 2004), native of

Kungyangon, Mon, Mon-Burmese scholar, prominent romantic poet, writer, political dissident, MP1990, NLD, his poems were removed from the basic high schools’ curriculum.



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13 February (1969), DOB, Ko Jimmy (a) Kyaw Min Yu, political prisoner 1989-2005 Insein / Tharawaddyprisons (hunger strike 1990) and 65 ½ -year imprisonment (2008, arrested 22 August 2007) Insein / Taunggyi prisons, physics student during 8-8-88 uprising, 2007 Saffron Revolution, CEC of Democratic Party for New Society, 88 Generation Students, Hlaing, Rangoon. Father: Tin Yu;mother: Ahmar Nyunt; wife: Nilar Thein (political prisoner 65-year imprisonment 2008 Thayet

prison); daughter: Phyu Nay Kyi Min Yu (b. 2007). Health condition: Hypertension. WhiteExpression campaign (to wear white shirts or T-shirts): Burmese students and the people are honest,selfless and pure. They simply want national reconciliation and benefits of the whole country,October 2006.

14 February, Valentine’s Day. Lovers express their feelings to each other. One legend contends thatValentine was a Catholic priest who served during the third century in Rome. When EmperorClaudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, heoutlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injusticeof the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. WhenValentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death around 270 A.D.In Burma under oppressive military generals, the Valentine’s Day is celebrated as Burmese Anti

Military Dictator Day started by a schoolgirl since 2010.14 February (1991), Founding Day of National League for Democracy – Liberated Area (NLD-LA).14 February (2008), Padoh Mahn Sha (a) Mahn Sha Lar Phan (5 July 1944 – 14 February 2008),

Secretary General of the Karen National Union (KNU), was assassinated by Pauk Sa from the groupof Htain Maung’s Karen Peace Council, commander San Pyone (assassinated on 26 June 2009) frompro-Burmese junta Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Battalion 7, Soe Myint of the DemocraticKaren Buddhist Army Battalion 999 and the Burmese soldiers with the blessing from theGovernment of Thailand.

16 February (1993), death in custody at Insein prison, U Khin Maung Myint, All Burma FederationStudents Union, Peoples’ Progressive Party, Dedaye, Irrawaddy.

17 February (1863), Founding Day of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva,Switzerland.

17 February (1937), DOB, Maung Swan Yi (a) Win Pe, famous poet, writer, literary critic, scholar, politicalprisoner, National Literary Prize 1964 for his collection of poetry, Poems of Red and Blue.

18 February (1998), death in custody at Insein prison, U Thein Tin (a) Tin Thein Maung (a) Pan-Hta-We

Tin Maung, writer, pharmacist, Rangoon division organizer of NLD South Okkalapa, Rangoon.19 February (1996), death in custody at Insein prison, U Tun Sein, Labor Union of United National Unity

Front, Union of Prisoners in 1970s, Kemmendine, Rangoon.20 February (1948), Chin National Day. It was adopted at the first Chin National Conference held on

February 20, 1948 in Falam town in Chin state. During the conference, Chin leaders agreed toabolish the use of the chieftainship system of administration and agreed to form a democratic systemof governance.

22 February (1932), DOB, Mr. Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy (22 February 1932 – 25 August 2009),Senator 1962-2009, Democratic Party, Massachusetts, USA. In a statement made on 11 May 1990Sen. Edward Kennedy urged the US administration to support economic sanctions against Burma’s

military dictatorship and to take concrete steps to back efforts of international and private voluntaryorganizations in aiding Burmese refugees.

27 February (1937), DOB, Sayar Kyi Aung (a) Kyi Lin (27 February 1937 – 27 March 2009), famous poet,literature critics, native of Ave, Mandalay, political prisoner gagged by Censorship Board, 8-8-88uprising.



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March 2012

1 March (1935), DOB, U Bilal Raschid , son of U Raschid, native of Thayetmyo, an architect, founder andPresident of Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in Burma (International), President of theworld-wide Burmese Muslim Association, ambassador-designate of NCGUB to the U.N. and testifiedbefore the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in this capacity in 1992, President of the Rotary Clubof Rangoon, Burma (1969-70), Assistant Governor of Rotary District 7610, Virginia, USA.

2 March (1962), The darkest hellhole of military dictatorship terminating democracy and human rights byGen. Ne Win (Burma Socialist Program Party, BSPP / Ma Sa La, 4 July 1962) with his henchmenGen. Saw Maung, 18 September 1988/ Gen. Than Shwe, 23 April 1992 (State Law and OrderRestoration Council, SLORC / Na Wa Ta / Nyeinpi, 18 September 1988) and Gen. Than Shwe (StatePeace and Development Council, SPDC / Na Ah Pha, 15 November 1997).Sao Myi Myi Thaik, age seventeen, son of the first president Sao Shwe Thaik (death in custody 21November 1962), younger brother of Eugene and elder to Harn, first democracy martyr was killedby Burmese soldiers.Prime Minister U Nu with his cabinet members and over thirty ethnic leaders had been jailed.

6 March (2008), death in custody suffering from TB at Tharawaddy prison, Ko Win Tin (a) Annul (1978-2008), high school student, NLD Youth Pegu.

7 March, Pa-O National Day (according to lunar calendar Tabaung Full Moon Day).7 March (1990), death in custody at Insein prison, Bo Set Yaung (a) U Khin Maung, Burma Communist

Party (BCP), Bahan, Rangoon.8 March (1975), International Women’s Day. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic,

political and social achievements of women.8 March (1991), death in custody at Insein prison, U Nyo Win (1930-91), All Burma Federation Students

Union 1954-60, University Student Union, Student United Front, Post-War and Independence EraOld Students Association, Peoples’ Progressive Party, League of Democratic Alliances, Shwekyin,

Pegu.10 March (1966), DOB, Ko Mya Aye (a) Thura, political prisoner 65 ½ -year imprisonment (2008, arrested

22 August 2007) Insein / Maubin / Loikaw / Taunggyi prisons, 8-8-88uprising, Saffron Revolution2007, 88 Generation Students, Mingalar Taungnyunt, Rangoon. Father: Maung Maung; daughter:Waihnin Pwint Thon (Burma Campaign UK). Health condition: Heart disease. No freedom of expression: If our desire is not allowed to be expressed anywhere, how could we believe the junta’s

claim of looking forward to building a democratic nation, October 2006.12 March (1927), DOB, Thura Tin Oo, native of Bassein, Retd. Gen., BC 3651, OTS 3, Chief of Staff and

minister of defense (1974-76), monk, political prisoner 1976-80 Insein prison, 1989-95 Inseinprison, Kale prison 30 May 2003 - February 2004 + extended yearly on 13 February under housearrest, released on 13 February 2010, Vice Chairman of NLD, Committee Representing People’s

Parliament, 8-8-88 uprising. When Ne Win dismissed Tin Oo in March 1976, students took to thestreets shouting “ Long Live Tin Oo” in demonstrations against the junta and Ne Win. Tin Oo was

imprisoned for his alleged involvement in an abortive coup attempt in July 1976. Wife: Dr Tin MoeWai; son: Thant Zin Oo (Japan). Medical condition: Hypertension, diabetes, and gout. Patriotism: Ilove the army, but I love the people more than the army (1989). When he was released on 13February 2010, he told reporters, “I will continue to work for democracy.” We strongly urge that theappropriate measures to be taken by European Commission to make clear that it is not acting inconcert with those who are disseminating pro-junta propaganda, 15 September 2010. We want totrust the army and the army to trust us, 15 October 2010.

12 March (1930), DOB, U Win Tin (Hanthawaddy), renowned journalist, writer, political prisoner arrestedon 4 July 1989, 3-year imprisonment (1989) + extended 11-year (1992) + extended 7-year (1996)



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Insein prison, released on 23 September 2008, vice-president of the Association of Burmese Writers,Central Executive Council NLD, advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi, UNESCO / Guillermo Cano WorldPress Freedom Prize (2001, France), World Association of Newspapers’ Golden Pen of Freedom

award (2001), Journalist of the Year by Reporters Sans Frontiers (2006, France), Gyobingauk, Pegu /Rangoon. Father: U Pu. Health condition: Asthma, heart disease, and hernia operated in 2008.

Justice: The junta fears U Win Tin because he is incorruptible. Win Tin initiated a Suu-Hlut-Twaytpolicy: “Suu” referred to Suu Kyi and all political prisoners are released, “Hlut” for Hluttawconvened and “Twayt” as face to face dialogue. Always following the four principles of the NLD’s

Shwegondaing Declaration in April 2009; before the 2010 election we demand the military regime torecognize the 1990 election results, release all political prisoners, open dialogue with Aung San SuuKyi, and review the 2008 constitution, January 2010. Western countries should persuade veto powerholders like China and Russia to take practical actions on Burma through the United NationsSecurity Council, such as weapons sanctions and strong diplomatic pressure, Win Tin said, 28 April2010. A leader from Burma’s pro-democracy opposition is calling on US President Barack Obama toraise the issue of a United Nations commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity committed by Burma’s military junta with regional representatives thus far unsupportive of the measure, 23

September 2010. Referring to Ban’s repeated statements of “concern” regarding the situation inBurma, Win Tin asked “if he forgets to include in his report the army’s attacks on Burma’s ethnic

nationalities and peasants in rural areas, is Ban Ki-moon really concerned?” 29 October 2010.13 March (1988), martyrs Phone Maw, Soe Naing, Win Aung, Tin Maung Oo, Than Shwe, and Maung

Maung Soe, Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT) students, triggered the 8-8-88 uprising. March13 has been commemorated every year as Burma’s Human Rights Day.

13 March (1997), death in custody at Insein prison, Rangoon General Hospital, Rev. Saw Hla Chit,Christian priest, Bogale, Irrawaddy.

15 March (1975), deaths of Communist leaders Thakin Zin and Thakin Chit.15 March (1996), death in custody at Thayet prison, Ven. U Arsara (1961-1996), monk, political prisoner

10-year imprisonment (1991), 8-8-88 uprising, 1990 Overturning of Alms Bowl religious boycott,Young Monks Union, Thayetaw Monastery, Lanmadaw, Rangoon.

16 March (1927), DOB, Sir Daniel Patrick Monihan (16 March 1927 – 26 March 2003), Senator,Democratic Party, New York, USA, a consistent champion of the Burmese, Moynihan Amendment:Toughened economic sanctions.

16 March (1988), Red Bridge Remembrance Day. The white bridge was splattered with students’ blood.

The security police and soldiers under Maj Sein Htwa, who raped girls in detention, killed anddrowned about 200-300 students. The wounded bodies were cremated day and night at Kyandawcemetery and some were fed to a crocodile farm in Thingangyun.

17 March (2006), beaten to death on the street by fascist members of Rangoon Kemmendine Townshippolice, reserve fire brigade and Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA / KyantPhoot), Ko Thet Naing Oo (a) Pya Laung, All Burma Students Democratic Front.

18 March (1988, Friday), Bloody Friday. Thousands of students marched down to Sule Pagoda in centralRangoon were arrested or killed by the Lon Htein – commander Sein Lwin – and army units – the22, 66 and 77 LIDs. Schools and universities were closed down.

20 March (1988), Chin National Revolution Day, Founding Day of Chin National Front (CNF). The CNFdedicated to securing the self-determination of the Chin people, to restore democracy, and toestablish Federal Union of Burma.

20 March (2009), death of Sayamagyi Kyi Oo (a) Thakinmagyi Hla Kyi, (23 June 1925 - 20 March 2009),native of Bilin, Mon, mother of the Zarganar, highly respected writer, veteran politician, Yankin,Rangoon. She had not given up her beliefs. She could not tolerate injustice. She stands for theBurmese people.



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21 March (1909, Sunday), DOB, Sayagyi Maung Htin (a) Htin Hpatt, journalist-writer of national fame,native of Labutta, Irrawaddy. One of the everlasting Burmese books will be his “Nga Ba” in Burma.

Featured in Oktha journal No 3 published in December 1990, his article “Democracy” clearlyreflects the Burmese way of democracy or the wishes of the majority.

21 March (1960), International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Police opened fire and

killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid “passlaws.” 21 March (1999), World Poetry Day. The purpose of the day is to promote the reading, writing, publishing

and teaching of poetry throughout the world and, as the UNESCO session declaring the day says, to“give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements.”

21 March (2008), Kyaw Zin Naing (1982-2008) set himself on fire at Burma’s most revered Buddhist

Shwedagon Pagoda to protest military rule and died on 17 April 2008 from burns of more than 60per cent of his body.

23 March (1876), DOB, Thakin Kodaw Hmaing (23 March 1876 – 23 July 1964), native of Wa-le village,Shwetaung Township, Prome, prominent writer, poet, nationalist, military regime critic, father of Burma’s peace movement, Dobama Asiayone 1934, All Burma Students Union 1936. Wife: Ma

Shin. He showed no mercy to those who were mere political opportunists, 1925. He inspired a wholegeneration of Burmese nationalists in the fight for independence, fostering immense pride in theirown history, language and culture, and more importantly urging them to take direct action such asstrikes by students and workers, 1927. By 1941 his reputation as a leading nationalist earned him aplace on the colonial authorities’ Burma List, regarded as an enemy of the state. After independencein 1948 the country immediately plunged into a widespread civil war which caused great sorrow tohim, and he spent the rest of his life trying to bring internal peace to the land. In 1952 he was electedChairman of the World Peace Congress (Burma) and won the Stalin Peace Prize in 1954. He wasawarded an honorary doctorate in 1960 by the University of Hamburg, West Germany. Since he wason the list of the censorship board, his works were banned from being published by the oppressivemilitary junta. May a myriad good things with vigour have a chance; may the peacock have its calland dance.

23 March (1976), 1976 Hmaing Rarpyi uprising (a) Hmaing Centenary uprising, Students uprisingcommemorating the centenary of the birth of Thakin Kodaw Hmaing. Over 230 students were jailedlong term imprisonment and expelled permanently from schools.

23 March (2000), Founding Day of Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma). Bo Kyi founded the AAPP with other former political prisoner colleagues on 23 March 2000, the 11th anniversary of the arrest of 1988 student leader Min Ko Naing. The AAPP is an independent, non-profit organization that monitors the situation regarding political prisoners in Burma, includinghuman rights violations, persecution and intimidation to both current and former political prisonersand their families.

23 March (2006), death in custody at Tharawaddy prison, U Ko Oo, secretary of NLD, Thayet Township.24 March (1982), World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is designed to build public awareness that tuberculosis

today remains an epidemic in much of the world, causing the deaths of about 1.6 million people eachyear, mostly in the third world.

27 March (1945), Resistance Day, marking the start of Burmese resistance to occupying Japanese army andtoday we are still struggling to get out from under oppressive military dictatorship and achievedemocracy.

27 March (2009), death of Sayagyi Kyi Aung (a) kyi Lin (1937-2009), famous poet, literature critics, nativeof Ave, Mandalay, political prisoner gagged by Censorship Board, 8-8-88 uprising.

28 March (1948), People’s Democratic Revolution Day of Burmese Communists. The Communist Partyof Burma (CPB) went underground.



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31 March (1928), DOB, Dr. Salai Tun Than, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, U.S.A, leader of Civil

Disobedience Movement, retired professor, former rector of Yezin Agriculture Institute inPyinmana, solo protester in front of the Rangoon City Hall (2001), political prisoner 2001-02, BurmaIndependence Army, Chin Defense Organization, campaign trail – U.S.A., Japan, Korea, andThailand, Senior General Than Shwe cancelled his Burmese passport, 9 June 2006. Doing thing

without thinking is passing time. Thinking without action is daydreaming. Action with appropriatethought is a mission, 25 February 2006. Determination: Sacrifice myself in order to bring thishorrible system of military dictatorship to an end.

31 March (1974), DOB, Ko Myo Yan Naung Thein, B.Arch. from Rangoon Institute of Technology,political prisoner 1997-2003 Insein prison as the prominent leader of 1996 December StudentsDemonstration and 2007-09 Insein / Sandoway prisons mental unit for Saffron Revolution 2007. Heis, one of the 88 Generation Students, disable resulting in paralysis down the left side of his bodydue to torture in prison by Special Branch and Swan Arr Shin. Father: Mya Thein; mother: Kyi KyiSein. He speaks English, French, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish very fluently, and he plays vitalrole in struggle for freedom in Burma. He has been working for democratisation of Burma with fulldetermination, dedication and devotion. “We sacrificed a lot. I will have to carry on until we get

democracy in Burma. As a student, I didn’t really know about politics. I only knew that the militarygovernment is wrong. So I rebelled and demonstrated against the military government. Their rule istotally wrong for Burma. Because of that, they arrested and cruelly imprisoned me. After we wereimprisoned, we learned more and more about the injustices carried out by the military government,and that strengthened my beliefs even more,” he said. 19 September 2009

April 2012

1 April, April Fools Day. Practices include sending someone on a “fool’s errand,” looking for things that

don’t exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things.

1 April (1829), DOB (according to lunar calendar Tagu Waxing Day 10 of the year 1191, Friday), Yaw Atwinwun U Bo Hlaing (a) Po Hlaing (a) Hpo Hlaing (a) Maung Hlaing (1829 – 1883), native of Pale village, Myingyan, advocate of political and economic reform during the closing period of themonarchy before the British seized Upper Burma. He was pitted against the rule of authoritariankings.

1 April (1965). Nationalization of Private Schools. Most of the early mission schools since 1860 (such asLa Salle schools) in Burma were nationalized on April 1, 1965 after the order restoration of GeneralNe Win. Preschools are opened for children over 2 years of age and they are in extensive care orpublic systems. Kindergarten starts from the age of 5 (not younger than 4 Years and 8 months at thetime of schools commencement date 1st of June). Primary (Elementary, Standards K-4), LowerSecondary (Middle, 5-8) and Upper Secondary (High, 9-10) Schools in Burma are under the

Department of Basic Education. English is taught as a second language from Kindergarten. WhenBurma gained independence in 1948, the government sought to create a literate and educatedpopulation, and Burma was believed to be on its way to become the first Asian Tiger in the region.However, military dictatorship took hold in 1962 and Burma became an isolated and impoverishednation. All schools were nationalized and education standards began to fall. Through many changesin education systems under the military regime, the junta uses schools as propaganda machines.Furthermore, indigenous people have little chance to promote their language and culture given thesupremacy of the Burmese language.

2 April (1925), International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and tocall attention to children’s book.



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5 April (1988), Captain Myint Oo ordered his soldiers to load their guns and aim at Aung San Suu Kyi whowas walking down the street along with her followers in Danubyu during a campaign tour of theIrrawaddy.

6 April (1923), DOB, Dr. Than Htun (6 April 1923 – 30 November 2005), highly respected historian, Ngathaingchaung’s Asian Youth League, Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League, chairman of

Burmese Student Union Ba Ka Tha 1947, professor at History Department, Arts and ScienceUniversity, Mandalay, visiting professor at Tokyo University, Tokyo International ChristianUniversity, Osaka University, and Northern Illinois University, a Literate of the 11th Fukuoka AsianCulture Prizes in the Academic Prize Category (2000). On the generals’ obsession with white

elephants, he commented, “ An elephant is an elephant .” Than Tun often criticized the generals forattempting to rewrite the history of Burma according to the requirements of their propagandas, andhis well-researched books on Burma, had often been banned by the paranoid generals. Themonument, inscribed with remarkable words: Keep doing what you are doing, of the well-knownlate Burmese historian Dr. Than Tun was removed from the Taunglaylone Monastery in Amarapuraby an order of the Burmese authorities in 2006.

6 April (1938), DOB, Fu Cin Sian Thang, native of Tiddim, Chin, lawyer, political prisoner at least ten

occasions between 1972 and 2007, MP, Chairman of the Chin Zomi National Congress, CommitteeRepresenting People’s Parliament, United Nationalities Alliance, Chin Ethnic Student Union,

Saffron Revolution 2007.7 April (1950), World Health Day. It is celebrated to create “awareness of a specific health theme to

highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization.” 9 April (1967), Founding Day of Arakan Liberation Party (ALP).10 April (2000), Kayan National Day.11 April (1919), Founding Day of the International Labour Organization (ILO).12 April (1907), DOB, Sayar Zawgyi (a) U Thein Han (12 April 1907 – 26 September 1990), native of

Phapon, Irrawaddy, renowned writer, famous author and poet, nationalist literary person and vocalsupporter of independence from the British Empire. Always for the people.

16 April (1991), death in custody at Interrogation Center, Military Intelligence Unit 12, Rangoon, Ko Soe

Htay (1972-91), student.17 April, Burmese New Year (according to lunar calendar Tagu New Year’s Day of the year 1374). The

water festival can wash away evils and sins accumulated in the past and prepare for the future,bringing the people into a happy new year.

17 April (1945), DOB, Maung Wun Tha (a) Soe Thein, native of Waw, Pegu, highly respected writer,editor of the Hanthawaddy and Botahtaung daily, MP 1990 NLD Waw, Pegu, political prisoner1989, 1990-92 and 1996-2001 Insein prison, 7-7-62 student uprising, 8-8-88 uprising. Independenceis something we gained from the British. However, in reality we still have to struggle if we want toenjoy freedom. I want to remind our people to remember the value of freedom, 4 January 2008.

17 April (1946), DOB, Lashio Thein Aung (a) Jimmy Jack, The LEGEND, nationally recognized Burmesestereo singer. In 1962 when almost half the nation was on the march “Demonstrations against

Democracy,” I was the only-one student in my hometown Lashio who went home on that day. Myname is Jimmy Patrick Nathan; I was born in Bhamo and raised in Lashio. I left Burma in 1972spent some time in the mountains and jungles along the Burma-Thai border as a freedom fighter.Close political ties with Brang Seng, Eugene Htaike, Tin Maung Win, Ye Kyaw Thu and KMT. InChicago I promised A Ba U Aye Myint that I would stand and fight for Democracy hand in handwith the 8-8-88 Student Generation. Freedom Fighter 72, Man without a Country.

21 April (1948), DOB, U Tin Maung Thaw, Secretary of Committee for the Restoration of Democracy inBurma (International), Co-Chair of U.S. Campaign for Burma, USA.



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22 April (1970), International Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for theEarth’s environment. John McConnell first introduced the idea of a global holiday called “Earth

Day” at a UNESCO Conference on the Environment in 1969. The first Earth Day proclamation wasissued by San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto on March 21, 1970. UN Secretary-General U Thantsupported McConnell’s global initiative to celebrate this annual event, and on February 26, 1971, he

signed a proclamation to that effect, saying: May there only be peaceful and cheerful Earth Days tocome for our beautiful Spaceship Earth as it continues to spin and circle in frigid space with its warmand fragile cargo of animate life.

24 April (1893), DOB, Dedoke U Ba Cho, (24 April 1893 – 19 July 1947, Martyrs’ Day), native of

Myaungmya, Irrawaddy, National Hero, Martyr, teacher at National College, writer, Dedoke Daily

Newspaper , cabinet member of Bogyoke Aung San.27 April (1949), DOB, Dr. Sai Kham Leik, native of Hsenwi, the most well known songwriter and

composer in Burma. He was once detained as a medical student at the Mandalay Medical Institutefor participating enthusiastically and forming the Shan Literature and Cultural Committee. BePatriotic Forever: Without unity and determination the desired goal will never be reached.

29 April (2009), Shwegondaing Declaration. The stands of the League are:

(a) Unconditional release of all the political prisoners(b) Review of the Draft Constitution (2008)(c) Establishment of a genuine Union based on the principle of equality for all the ethnicnationalities (d) Recognition of the result of the Multi Party Democracy General Election (1990)(e) Political DialogueTherefore if the State Peace and Development Council unilaterally hold possible upcoming electionwith their own plan and if:(1) All the political prisoners including the leaders of the NLD were unconditionally released,(2) The provisions of the (2008) Constitution which are not in accord with the democratic principles

were amended,(3) All inclusive free and fair general election were held under international supervision,The National League for Democracy, through this Shwegondaing Declaration, states that,anticipating for the realization of the benefit of the whole people, it intends to participate in theelections only after gravely considering as a special case and after studying the coming PartyRegistration Act and the Laws relating to the Elections. NLD, Rangoon.

May 2012

1 May (1890), Labour Day (a) May Day (a) World Workers’ Day.2 May (1957), Founding Day of Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP). The Constitution of the

Union of Burma in 1947 proclaimed that the three Karenni States be amalgamated into a singleconstituent state of the union, called Karenni State. It also provided for the possibility of secessionfrom the Union after 10 years. In August 1948, the Karenni leader U Bee Htu Re was assassinatedby central government militia for his opposition to the inclusion of the Karenni States in the Unionof Burma. An armed uprising swept the state that has continued to the present-day. In 1957, pro-independence groups already active in the area formed the Karenni National Progressive Party(KNPP), backed by its own army, the Karenni Army (KA). Apart from a brief ceasefire in 1995, theKA has been fighting ever since. “We all know that the 2010 Election will not benefit us, so we haveto unite to fight against them,” said Bee Htoo, Chief of Armed Forces, Karenni National ProgressiveParty (KNPP), 24 September 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proclamation


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2 May (2006), death in custody at Sandoway prison, Sandoway hospital, U Myint Than, Shan NewGeneration Youth, Shan.

2 May (2008), Cyclone Nargis. The military media claimed that 351 death and over 100,000 InternallyDisplaced Persons on 4 May 2008. However, the death toll according to UN is 140,000 reported onan anniversary. A new U.N.-led report says the damage from Burma’s Cyclone Nargis in May is

estimated to be $4 billion. The report released Monday says this includes $1.7 billion in damage toassets and $2.3 billion from loss of income of the victims. The report, prepared by the U.N., theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations and the Burmese government, is the first comprehensiveassessment of the damage caused by the cyclone in May (AP, 21 July 2008). In a rare appearance,first lady Laura Bush spoke to the media from the White House briefing room, urging thegovernment of Burma to accept aid from the United States. No aid response teams are allowed toenter the country without the government’s permission. “The government of Burma should accept

this team quickly – as well as other offers of international assistance,” she told reporters

(abc.go.com, 5 May 2008). British Ambassador John Sawers called Burma’s refusal to let aidworkers in as the death toll mounts “an appalling crisis” and labeled the government’s actions

“inexplicable and inexcusable’ (CNN, 10 May 2008). In a sign of the tensions between the generals

and the international community, Burma’s U.N. envoy, Kyaw Tint Swe, accused France of sending awarship to his country. France’s U.N. ambassador said the junta was on the verge of a “crime against

humanity.” French envoy Jean-Maurice Ripert said the ship is operated by the French navy but isnot a warship. It is carrying 1,500 metric tons of food and medicine as well as small boats,helicopters and field hospital platforms (Reuters, 16 May 2008). French President Nicolas Sarkozy says Burma’s ruling junta has made a “bad choice” by not letting foreign military ships join the

cyclone aid effort (usatoday.com, 24 May 2008).3 May (1991), World Press Freedom Day. The United Nations General Assembly declared 3 May to be

World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remindgovernments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined underArticle 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of theDeclaration of Windhoek, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991.

3 May (1992), death in custody at Insein prison, U Soe Win, younger brother of Bo Zeya, People’s

Comrades Party led by Gen Aung San, Mayangon, Rangoon.3 May (2008), four prisoners Ohn Kyaw (NLD member from Dawpon Township), Thant Zaw (Hlaing

Township), Win Tun Win (Insein Township), and another anonymous prisoner were tortured todeath by Insein prison authorities.

6 May (2001), World Laughter Day (first Sunday of May). Laughter is a positive and powerful emotionthat has all the ingredients required for individuals to change themselves and to change the world ina peaceful and positive way.

6 May (2009), The World Famous Unjustified Trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. John William Yettaw wasarrested on May 6 for swimming to and entering Aung San Suu Kyi’s lakeside home, where he

stayed for two days. She said that the charges against her were “one-sided.” She accused Burmese

authorities of failing to provide proper security despite the fact that she informed them of a previousintrusion by Yettaw in November 2008. Aung San Suu Kyi, her two live-in party members Khin

Khin Win and her daughter Win Ma Ma and an American man John William Yettaw appeared thefirst time at a special court in Insein Prison compound to hear the charges against them on May 14,2009 with under section 22 of the State Protection Law. The first day, May 18, of the trial againstthem began today at 10:30 am and finished this afternoon at around 2 pm local time. All werecharged under section 22 of the State Protection Act. Four lawyers ( Kyi Win, Hla Myo Myint, NyanWin and Khin Htay Kywe; one of Daw Suu’s Lawyers Aung Thein has had his licence to practise



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law revoked by the authorities) represented Aung San Suu Kyi. Khin Htay Kywe, Hla Myo Myintand Nyan Win also represented National League for Democracy party members Khin Khin Win andWin Ma Ma. Lawyer Khin Maung Oo represented John William Yettaw. There are two judges inthe case, U Thaung Nyunt from Rangoon Northern District Court and U Nyi Nyi Soe from RangoonWestern District Court in the presence of district legal advisor Myint Kyaing. Lt. Colonel Police

Special Branch Officer Zaw Min Aung read out the statement of prosecution against Aung San SuuKyi, her colleagues and John William Yettaw. Aung San Suu Kyi said, “I have no guilt as I didn’tcommit any crime.” The court initially sentenced Suu Kyi on Tuesday, August 11, to a three-yearprison term with hard labour. But after a five-minute recess, the country’s home minister entered the

courtroom and read aloud a special order from junta chief Sr-Gen Than Shwe. The order said ThanShwe was cutting the sentence in half to 1 and 1/2 years and that it could be served under housearrest. A US citizen jailed for swimming to the house of Burmese democracy icon Aung San SuuKyi was set to fly out of the army-ruled nation Sunday, August 16, with a visiting American senatorwho secured his release. John Yettaw was handed over to US embassy officials at Rangoon’snotorious Insein prison after Democrat Senator Jim Webb persuaded the military junta to spare himfrom a sentence of seven years’ hard labour, officials said. On 13 November 2010, Aung San Suu

Kyi, Khin Khin Win and Win Ma Ma were released after the November 7 Elections.7 May (2005), death in custody at No. 1 Interrogation Center, Ko Aung Hlaing Win, NLD Youth, TaguSeik Village, Einme Township, Irrawaddy.

10 May (1906), Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) was established by students of RangoonCollege: U Ba Pe, U / Sir Maung Gyi, and U Ba Yin.

10 May (1919), DOB, Dagon Taryar, renowned writer and poet, political prisoner 1962-66, gagged byCensorship Board, National Literary Award 2000, Aungban, Shan State. Peace movement: Noenemy, only friend; no hatred, only love. Politics is making friends who are enemies.

10 May (1976), Founding Day of National Democratic Front (NDF), the non-Burman ethnic armedopposition groups. Current member organizations of NDF: Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), ChinNational Front (CNF), Karen National Union (KNU), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), New MonState Party (NMSP), Pa-O People’s Liberation Organization (PPLO), Palaung State Liberation Front(PSLF) and Wa National Organization (WNO).The NDF firmly believes that1. All ethnic nationals must enjoy political equality, regardless of the size of their populations,

advancement and backwardness, in order to establish genuine national unity;2. A state should be established for the Burman ethnic national in order to ensure the equality

principle of ethnic nationals in Burma and self-determination right;3. Ethnic conflicts originating from political causes could only be resolved by political means and

not by military means, which has been the course successive Burmese regimes have beenpursuing; and

4. The military regime attempting to resolve the conflict only by the military means should beovercome and for that the democratic forces must be organized for united struggle against themilitary regime.

12 May (2009), death in custody at Myingyan prison, Salai Hla Moe (1960-2009), carpenter, politicalprisoner 11-year imprisonment (2003) Myingyan prison, organizer NLD Tupe Township, Chin.

13 May, Mother’s Day (second Sunday of May) is a day of honouring mothers.13 May (1757). Fall of Hongsawatoi Mon Kingdom to Burmans (according to the Mon lunar calendar

Kason Waning Day 8 of the year 1120). Over 70,000 Mon people were killed by the Burmese KingAlaungpaya (a) U Aung Zeya of Konbaung Dynasty. He even massacred 3000 Mon Buddhist monkswho were guardians of the Mon literature and culture.



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13 May (1998), death in custody at Tharawaddy prison, U Aung Kyaw Moe (a) Moe Aung (1960-98),United National Democracy Party, Kamayut, Rangoon.

15 May (1964). The first time demonetization of 50 and 100 kyat notes had ruined tens of thousands of people. For the second time, on 3 November 1985, the 25, 50, and 100 kyat notes were demonetizedwithout warning. On 6 September 1987, hundreds of students from Rangoon Universities – RIT and

RASU – went on brief demonstration marches across the university campus around Rangoon protesting the government’s action to demonetize kyats 2, 3, 7 banknotes without compensationfor the third time on 5 September 1987 signed by Sein Lwin, Secretary, Council of State under GenNe Win, rendering some 7% of the country’s currency worthless.

16 May (2010). A 15-year-old boy Tin Min Naing was shot and killed and his body hidden under a bridgeby a Burmese soldier Private Moe Win associated with Private San Ko Ko and Second LieutenantKyaw Moe Khaing from the Light Infantry Battalion 586 based at Pyontaza railway station in Peguafter refusing to join the army. Lawyer Aye Myint, who heads the Guiding Star legal advocacygroup which works on child soldiers cases in Burma, said that the incident was a byproduct of army policy that soldiers fulfill recruitment quotas. “I have had some experience with such cases but never

one as gruesome as this. The worst cases that I encountered before were soldiers taking some lost

children to a deserted place and beating them up to make them join the military,” he said. “This caseis too inhumane. The salary earned by soldiers is not enough to cover their needs so they desperatelylook for children to recruit for food and financial rewards. The practice is now starting to look likekidnapping or robbery.” A UN report released last week slammed Burma’s “persistent” use of child

soldiers, and named a number of armed ethnic groups as fellow guilty parties. The Burmese armyhas also been known to use children as minesweepers, forced to walk in front of troop patrols toshield them from the blast of landmines. A Human Rights Watch Report in 2002 said that as manyas 70,000 children under 18 could be in the Burmese army.

17 May (1937), DOB, U Moe Thu (a) Maung Moe Thu (a) Sein Myint, writer, editor, movie director,political prisoner 1996-2000 Insein prison, vice-chairman of Ta Ka Tha, co- founder of NLD,Kyauktada Rangoon. He has been gagged by Censorship Board.

17 May (1998), death in custody at Tharawaddy prison, Ko Aung Kyaw Moe, hunger strike starting May 10When he resisted force-feeding and hit his head against a brick wall, the wardens beat him to death.

19 May (2010), death in custody at Myingyan prison, Ko Kyaw Soe (a) Kyaw Kyaw Soe (a) Jeffrey (1961 –

19 May 2010), Catholic, political prisoner 10-year imprisonment (2008) Insein / Myingyan prisons,Human Rights Defenders and Promoters, Taunggyi, Shan. He is the 144th political prisoner died inprison since 1988. Ko Kyaw Soe has left behind a wife, May Han Ei, and a 7 year-old daughter.Murderers: Dictator-King Sr-Gen Than Shwe, chief of Military Affairs Security Lt-Gen Ye Myint,Minister of Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo, Minister of Industry (1) and native of MyinganCol/U Aung Thaung, Director General of Prisons Department Zaw Win, Myingyan prison wardenand prison doctor.

20 May (1990), death in custody at Maubin prison, Ko Kyaw Myo Thant (a) Japan Gyi, history studentduring 8-8-88 uprising, Democratic Party for New Society (DPNS), Bogale, Irrawaddy.

21 May (1958), Shan Revolution Day. A charismatic young Shan from Yunnan, Saw Yanda, set up campin the jungle near Mong Ton, between the Salween River and the Thai border. Saw Yandaannounced the foundation of the ‘Noom Suk Harn’ (“Noom Serk Harn Terk-ao Lodliao Gawnk haw”- Brave Young Warriors for Independence) on 21st May 1958, along with 30 Shan comrades. TheNoom Suk Harn had their own flag: an 8 pointed star above a crossed sword and spear. The rationalefor the Noom Suk Harn was a patriotic armed group who would seek the removal of all foreignsoldiers from Shan States: Burma army, CPB and KMT. These brave idealists wanted to bring peaceto Shan States and stop the bloodshed of three warring armies marching over Shan States from onebattle to another. Armed resistance will continue as long as any government tries to enslave and



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terrorise the people of Shan State in the way the SPDC are now doing. When the day comes that thepeople of Shan State have peace and self-determination, armed insurgency will stop.

21 May (1989), All Burma Federation of Students Union Conference in Mandalay, 2 days, the biggestconference and all student leaders from around the country attended.

25 May (1907), DOB, U Nu (a) Thakin Nu (25 May 1907 – 14 February 1995), nationalist and political

figure, political prisoner 1962-66 and 1989-92, former chairman of All Burma Students Union,founder of the Dobama Asiayone, former prime minister of Union of Burma, Anti-Fascist People’sFreedom League, Nonaligned Movement, National United Liberation Front, ParliamentaryDemocracy Party, a symbolic provisional government (1988).

27 May (1990), 1990 Elections. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD won the elections by a landslide, electing392 (80.82%) candidates out of 485 parliamentary seats. The military-backed National Unity Partywon only 10 seats (2.06%). No less than 93 parties contested the election. A majority of the armedforces joined the rest of the population to vote for the opposition and against the dictatorship. Thewill of the people had been voted: the generals must go. Although the people have spoken clearlyand loudly for a new direction, the military junta has made it clear that it will do everythingnecessary to avoid a transfer of power.

29 May (2005), death in custody at Moulmein prison, U Min Tun Wai, NLD Kyaikmayaw, Mon.30 May (1907), DOB, Saopha of Mong Pawng Sai San Tun (a) Sai Tha Tun, (30 May 1907 – 19 July 1947,Martyrs’ Day), native of Mong Pawng, Shan, National Hero, Martyr, Shan nationalist advocating the

development of Shan State, cabinet member of Bogyoke Aung San. He was honored posthumouslywith Sai San Tun Hospital in Taunggyi, Shan.

30 May (2003), Depayin Massacre, second attempted assassination on Aung San Suu Kyi and Tin Oo, 70-282 unarmed NLD brutally killed and hundreds wounded by the Union Solidarity and DevelopmentAssociation (USDA / Kyant Phoot) and Tatmadaw under the order of Sr-Gen Than Shwe, Gen SoeWin (d. 2007), Maj-Gen Soe Naing, Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Col / U Aung Thaung, Brig-Gen ThuraMyint Maung, Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, and Lt-Col Than Han.

31 May (1999), death in custody at Insein prison, Ko Hla Khin, youth leader, NLD Shwepyitha, Rangoon.

June 2012

2 June (1945), death of Bo Hmu Ba Htoo, native of Tavoy, BIA. Col Ba Htoo was widely praised for hislifelong devotion to his nation and the military forces that defended it. Aung San praised Ba Htoo’s

bravery and initiative, and elevated him to the rank of colonel. The devoted soldier never lived toaccept the promotion, nor did he return to the family he left behind in Tavoy. He died of malaria in asmall village in southern Shan State. Aung San later wrote that Ba Htoo was an “upright, intelligent,

brave and industrious” military leader. In November 193, the Tatmadaw built an army town in

Yaksauk, southern Shan State, to honor Ba Htoo. Named “Ba Htoo Tatmyo” (Fort Ba Htoo), the

town was designed to house military families and provide training for army officers. His son, CaptMyint Htoo, was murdered by MI in notorious Ye Kyi Aing Interrogation center under Dictator GenNe Win and Brig-Gen Tin Oo, MIS chief 1972-83.

3 June (1930), DOB, Mr. George Fernandes, Defence Minister in the National Democratic AllianceGovernment (1998-2004), Janata Dal (United) party, India.

4 June (1964), Kayan Revolution Day.5 June (1972). World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal

vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment andenhances political attention and action. It was established by the United Nations General Assemblyin 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another



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resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of United NationsEnvironment Programme.

6 June (1974), 1974 Workers’ Strike. The workers demanded higher salaries, lowering of basic commodityprices, freedom to form an independent labor union, and some fringe benefits for their families.

6 June (1975), 1975 Shwedagon Strike (a) 1975 June strike, one year anniversary of the 1974 Workers’

Strike. In order to prevent student activists from assembling, all universities and colleges were shutdown from June 1975 to January 1976.7 June (2000), death soon after release, Daw San San Win, political prisoner since 1997, MP 1990, NLD

Ahlone, Rangoon.8 June (1996), death in custody at Thayet prison, Ko Myint Swe (1964-96), Dala, Rangoon.8 June (1998), death in custody at Insein prison / Rangoon General Hospital, U Tin Shwe (a) Monywa Tin

Shwe (1930-98), lawyer, well-known writer, NLD Monywa, Sagaing.9 June (1920), DOB, Bhamo Tin Aung (9 June 1920 – 23 October 1978), renowned writer, Jack London of

Burma, native of Pegu, political prisoner 1952-59, 1963+, Coco Island 1968-72, student unionmovement 1936-38, Burmese British Army 1941+. He wrote several novels from a socialistviewpoint and focused on the poorest classes, such as farmers, workers and the oppressed. His works

are still popular among readers because he wrote about progressive, modern ideas, includingphilosophy and religion, for three decades.9 June (2005), death during forced labour session, Ko Win Lwin, Ngapyin Village, Aunglan (Allen)

Township, Magwe .11 June (1901), DOB, U Ba Win (a) San Tin, (11 June 1901 – 19 July 1947, Martyrs’ Day), native of

Natmauk, Magwe, elder brother of Aung San, teacher at Yenangyaung National School, cabinetmember of Bogyoke Aung San.

11 June (1991), death in custody at Insein prison, Sayar Maung Thaw Ka (a) Ba Thaw (1928 – 1991),native of Shwebo, Sagaing, people’s hero, ex-maj navy officer, humorist, poet and political activist,political prisoner 20-year imprisonment (1989) accused of trying to cause a mutiny in the army,hunger strike September 1990, death in custody, Insein prison 11 June 1991, Journalists Union,Speaker and CEC member of NLD, 8-8-88 uprising, his name and writings were banned, Kyauktada,Rangoon. On the 17 August 1988, he signed a petition to the army to stop the indiscriminateshooting and killing of the people to wipe out the dissidents. When he was ill, he was denied medicalcare in Insein prison.

12 June (1968), DOB, Ko Htay Kywe, political prisoner 1988, 1991-2004 Insein 1991/ Tharawaddy 1995prisons, 2006 and 65 ½ -year imprisonment (2008, arrested 13 October 2007) Insein / Maubin / Buthidaung prisons, 8-8-88 uprising, Saffron Revolution 2007, 88 Generation Students, Bahan,Rangoon. Father: U Kywe; sister: Mi Mi Kywe. Health condition: Stomach ailment andHypertension. Htay Kywe called on the army, political forces, pro-democracy parties and ethnicgroups to work together toward an all inclusive solution to the country’s political problems, August2010. He has worried that Aung San Suu Kyi could face another situation similar to the one atDepayin and said that all political forces need to cooperate under her leadership to achieve nationalreconciliation, November 2010.

12 June (2001), death soon after release with AIDS from Thayet and Insein prisons, Ko Bo Ni Aung, AllBurma Students Democratic Front.

13 June (2004), death in custody at Insein prison, U Min Thu, lawyer, NLD.14 June (1928), DOB, Che Guevara (a) Ernesto Guevara (a) Che (14 June 1928 – 9 October 1967),

Argentine Marxist revolutionary, medical doctor, military theorist, and guerrilla leader.16 June 1935, U Win Pe, DOB, well-known artist, best film director 1981, short-story writer, native of

Mandalay, senior editor at RFA, consultant at Moe Ma Ka media, USA 1994. His name and moviesare banned in Burma 1994-2011.



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16 June (1958), Ko Min Zeya, DOB, political prisoner 1989-95, 1996, 1999, 2006 and 65 ½ -yearimprisonment (2008, arrested 22 August 2007) Insein / Lashio prisons, law student during 8-8-88uprising, White Sunday Campaign 2007, Saffron Revolution 2007, All Burma Federation of Students Union, 88 Generation Students, South Dagon, Rangoon. Prosecuting Police Officers: MyintAung, Zaw Min Aung and Ye Nyunt, 2008. Wife: Cho Cho Win; father: Ba Yin; mother: Chit Phwa

(died 27 May 2011). Health condition: Hypertension, backache. He was denied the chance to visithis seriously ill mother before her death on May 27 in Kamarwet village, Mudon Township, Mon.16 June (1993), assassinated by the Burmese military outside Bangkok, Thailand, U Hla Pe, MP 1990, NLD

Pyawbwe (2), Mandalay.17 June, Father’s Day (third Sunday of June) is a day honouring fathers.17 June (1932), DOB, U Kyaw San, former military colonel, political prisoner 1992-95, 1998-2004, 7-year

imprisonment (2005) Insein prison (hunger strike 2006), MP 1990, NLD Taze (1), Sagaing.19 June (1945, Tuesday), DOB, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (a) Suu Kyi (a) Daw Suu (a) Amay Suu, native of

Rangoon, figurehead of the Burmese democracy revolution, Prime Minister-elect 1990, Mother of Rangoon, political prisoner 1989-1995, 2000-2002, 2003-2010, survivor of three assassinationattempts on her including Depayin Massacre 30 May 2003, Nobel Peace Prize (1991), US

Congressional Gold Medal (2008), numerous prestigious prizes, General Secretary of NationalLeague for Democracy, Committee Representing People’s Parliament. Husband: Michael

Vaillancourt Aris (1946 – 99); sons: Alexander Aris aka Myint San Aung born in 1973, Kim Aris akaHtein Lin born in 1977; dog pet: May May (2010). She called on foreign countries to imposecomplete economic boycott, including trade embargo, against Burma on 4 June 1989. NationalConvention process: A sham, November 1995. She called for economic sanctions against Burma tomake it quite clear that economic change in Burma is not possible without political change on 18July 1996. She called on tourists to boycott Burma to protest the Visit Burma Year – the Year of Tourism 1996. Please use your liberty to promote ours, 4 February 1997. The Burmese election isabsolutely unlikely to be free and fair, 29 July 2010. As Suu Kyi said herself less than 48 hours afterher 13 November release from house arrest, previous communication with Senior General ThanShwe has hardly been free-flowing in the past. “I think firstly we have to start talking affably – real,genuine talks, not just some more tea or this or that ,” she said. A second Panglong conferenceaddressing the concerns of the 21st century is needed for national reconciliation, 16 November 2010.Her birthday has been dedicated as the Burmese Women’s Day.

19 June (1969), DOB, Ashin U Gambira (a) Sandawbartha (a) Nyi Nyi Lwin, monk, leader of the AllBurma Monks Alliance, political prisoner 68-year imprisonment (2008, arrested 4 November 2007)minus 5-year (2009) Insein / Mandalay / Khamti (hunger strike 2009) / Kale / Myaungmya prisons,Saffron Revolution 2007, Index on Censorship medal (2008, UK) for his leading role in lastSeptember’s peaceful demonstrations, Honorable Citizenship (2008, Italy), Htaukkyant Tawya

Monastery, Mingaladon, Rangoon. Father: Min Lwin (arrested 4 November – 3 December 2007,Mandalay prison); mother: Daw Yee; brothers: Aung Kyaw Kyaw (NLD, 14-year imprisonment2007 Taunggyi prison) and Aung Ko Ko Lwin (5-year imprisonment Kyaukpyu prison); sisters:Khin Thu Htay (husband Moe Htet Hlyan, 5-year imprisonment 2009 Moulmein prison), Khin PhyuHtwe and Lwin Lwin Myint (husband Lu Maw Naing). Defense lawyers: Aung Thein (4-monthimprisonment), Khin Maung Shein (4-month imprisonment) and Pho Phyu. Health condition:Bronchitis and asthma (2008), malaria (2009), mental problems (2011), poor eye sight, inhumanlytortured, kept in solitary confinement and fed mouldy inedible rice, head and back injuries. I am veryhappy about the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Now the more than 2,000 political prisoners,including myself, need to be released too. I am confident that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will prevailwith this cause. Please continue the peaceful movement with Metta and without violence. As I saidbefore unity and patience are most important. 17 November 2010



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19 June (1992), death in custody at Interrogation Center, U Mohamed Ilyas (a) Mohamad Elias (a) Maung

Nyo (1932-92), NLD Maungdaw, Arakan.20 June (2001), death in custody at Mandalay prison, La Khong Lay (a) Tin Maung Myint, NLD Madaya,

Mandalay.20 June (2001), World Refugee Day. Each year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR) selects a theme and coordinates events across the globe.21 June (1875), Karenni National Day. The agreement was signed on June 21, 1875. Sir Douglas Forsyth,signed the agreement on behalf of the Viceroy and Governor General of India and Kinwon Mingyi,Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Burmese monarchy King Mindon. The entry in theUpper Burma Gazetteer reads as follows: It is hereby agreed between the British and BurmeseGovernment that the State of Western Karenee shall remain separate and independent, and that nosovereignty or governing body of any description shall be claimed or exercised over that State. Fromthat day, to the end of British rule in Burma, Burman troops ceased to attack or interfere withKarenni State and the Karenni people therefore marked this recognition of their independence byproclaiming June 21st as their National Day.

21 June (1988), Myenigon Massacre, Rangoon. About 300 peaceful students and young monks marching

on the Prome Road at Myenigon were beaten, hit, arrested, or killed by 200 Lon Htein using batonsand heavy-duty military vehicles under the command of Sein Lwin, according to the MyenigonMassacre survivor Kyaw Mya Htoo.

21 June (2002), death in custody at Bassein prison, Maung Maung Aye, NLD Labutta, Irrawaddy.22 June (1996), death in custody at Insein prison, Mr. James Leander Nichols (a) Leo Nichols, Eurasian,

honorary consul in Burma for Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden as well as correspondent forSwitzerland.

23 June (1925), DOB, Sayamagyi Kyi Oo (a) Yuwaddy Kyi Oo (a) Thakinmagyi Hla Kyi, (23 June 1925 – 20 March 2009), native of Bilin, Mon, mother of the Zarganar, highly respected writer, veteranpolitician, Yankin, Rangoon. She had not given up her beliefs. She could not tolerate injustice. Shestands for the Burmese people.

25 June (1939), DOB, Sayagyi Min Thein Kha (a) Aung Tun (25 June 1939 – 1 August 2008), native of Rangoon, Sheer of Burma, famous astrologer, renowned writer, creator of the Surveillance HninMaung, political prisoner 1965-70 as an active member of Burma Communist Party, 1989-92 forpublic speeches during 8-8-88 uprising, 2006 for radio interviews, Ayudaw Mingalar ranch,Hmawbe, Rangoon. He studied at St. Paul High School and obtained his matriculation degree fromAV College. In 1958 he joined the army and served for five years as Sgt. Aung Tun. He wasawarded the Ph.D. by the University of Calcutta for his thesis “The Destiny of 122 Burmese Kings”.Manusari, Punna Ba Kun and Sanay Maung Maung were very popular among his readers.Prediction: Burma military junta’s new capital Naypyidaw will last only two years and that there

will be a change of the government, 2007.25 June (1954), the first hijack in Burma. Dakota passenger plane of Burma Airways during its Rangoon-

Kyaukpyu-Akyab flight was hijacked by KNU. Lt Saw Kyaw Aye, Lt Thein Kyaw and Ah Nyein forced a pilot to land his domestic DC-3 at gunpoint and made off with a bundle of cash (K 740,000) destined for government employee plus government supplies.

26 June (1976, 4 AM, Saturday), Tin Maung Oo Day, the first student hanged by the military junta, Salai

Tin Maung Oo (a) Richard Din (a) Big Lion (9 November 1951 – 26 June 1976), native of Toungoo, 3rd year Zoology student 1974, political prisoner 1972-74, 1974 U Thant Uprising, 1975Shwedagon Strike, Chin Student Association at Rangoon Arts and Science University. Quotedaringly: You can kill my body but you can never kill my beliefs and what I stood for. I will neverkneel down under military boots!



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26 June (2007, Tuesday). The NLD party started its “Every Tuesday Alms Offering” dedicated to the

release of all political prisoners on June 26, 2007, in Suu Kyi’s fourth year of a total seven years

(2003-2010) in her third term under house arrest.

July 2012

1 July (1963), DOB, Ko Htoo Ein Thin (a) Ko Hnget (a) Kyaw Myint Lwin (1 July 1963 – 14 August2004), singer, song composer, native of Bassein, 8-8-88 uprising, All Burma Students DemocraticFront, Burma.

1 July (1999), death soon after release, U Kyaw Min, political prisoner, NLD Bassein west (2), Irrawaddy.5 July (1951), DOB, U Htaung Kho Thang, Chin leader, native of Tamu, MP, United Nationalities League

for Democracy, Tamu, Chin, political prisoner 1998 and 2007, member of the CommitteeRepresenting People’s Parliament, Saffron Revolution 2007. Current politics: All the people are veryangry with the current political stalemate, August 2006.

6 July (1946), DOB, Mr. George Walker Bush, the 43rd

President of the United States, 2000-2008,

Republican, USA.7 July (1962), 7-7-62 students uprising (a) 1962 Rangoon University students uprising. Students protested

new regulations prohibiting unauthorized political gatherings, requiring the locking of dormitories at8:00 p.m. sharp, and settings fixed study hours.

8 July (1941), DOB, U Nwe Aung, M.Sc. (Industrial Chemistry), Chair of Committee for the Restoration of

Democracy in Burma (Germany) since 1987, Chair of Burma Bureau (Germany) until April 2009,Director of National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) PM Office inWashington DC (1994-1996), Director of NCUB Europe Office in London (2007-2010). Politics:Aim to abolish military dictatorship and establish Federal Union in Burma.

8 July (1962), Ordered by Gen Ne Win, Brig-Gen Aung Gyi, Col Kyaw Soe, Col Saw Myint, Col MinThein, Lt-Col Sein Lwin, and Maj Tun Yi, the fascist Burmese soldiers from Burma Rifle Battalion

4 killed students by three minute shoot and two minute wait repeatedly as well as destroyed theStudent Union Building, which had a prominent standing in the history of Burma independencemovement. Artillery officer Hla Myint laid dynamites thoroughly around the solid walls anddemolished the Student Union Building. Student leaders were Ko Thet (Ba Ka Tha) and Ko Ba SweLay (Ta Ka Tha). Ko Kyaw Win of Myaungmya, who was in bed with injuries, and about 100-400students were blown up together with the building under a bloody policy declared by Gen Ne Win asto match “sword with sword, spear with spear.” The bodies, some students still alive, were crushedat the sewage treatment plant in Rangoon. When Ne Win knew the students uprising, he said angrilyand rudely, “Sons of bitches, kill them all.”

12 July (2001), death in custody with AIDS at Tharawaddy prison, Ko Sithu (a) Ye Naing, Botany studentduring 8-8-88 uprising, Sanchaung, Rangoon.

13 July (1947), DOB, U Ohn Than, native of Ngathaingchaung Township, Irrawaddy, B.Sc. (Forestry),lawyer, solo peaceful protester, employee of Forestry Department, political prisoner 1988-95 Bhamo / Mandalay prisons + 1996-2003 Tharawaddy prison + 2004-2006 Moulmein prison, detentionFebruary and April 2007, life sentence (2008; Inspector Soe Naing, Kyauktada Township Police,Serial No. La/147569; Judge Kyaw Swe, Deputy District Judge No. 3, Rangoon Western DistrictCourt, Special Court, Judge No. Ta/1867) Insein / Mandalay / Khamti / Putao prisons for staging aprotest on 23 August 2007 in front of the U.S. Embassy, one-man protest outside United NationsDevelopment Programme office demanding the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and theintervention of the UN Security Council in Burma 21 September 2004, called for the 1990 electionto be honored and for the convening of a parliament with elected lawmakers on 12 February 2007,



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again in downtown Rangoon called the creation of a civilian government, a solution to Burma’s

poverty problem and UN intervention for political reform in Burma on 25 April 2007, North Dagon,Rangoon. Father: Tha Nu. Health condition: Hypertension, kidney stone, and cerebral malaria. In hisdefense, Ohn Than said that he had not intended to incite hatred toward the state and pointed out thatthe wording of his silently-held placard was simply calling for democracy instead of dictatorship,

and for the armed forces to uphold their dignity by siding with the people. Slogans on some of theplacards Ohn Than held outside the US embassy in Rangoon, 23 August 2007, just before his arrestby plainclothes police: Form a Government that Represents the People. Listen and Act On WhatPeople Want. End Military Ruling Now. China and Russia’s Vetoes— Go To Hell!

14 July (2010), death of Sayagyi Nan Nyunt Swe (a) Thukhamain (a) Aung Thein (1923 14 July 2010),native of Prome, father of Zarganar, writer, artist, political activist, banned by the regime’s censors

since 2000. “I feel sorry for my son, it makes me sad and I worry about him. But I am proud of him,

proud of what he has done, what he is fighting for. It is pride for our country,” said he. “We still

survive. Sometimes we don’t have enough...but ‘TIB’”. This is Burma. 18 July (1918), DOB, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, anti-apartheid activist and leader of the African

National Congress’s armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe, political prisoner 27 years released 1990,

first President of South Africa to be elected in a fully representative democratic election serving inthe office from 1994 – 99, received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notablythe Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, the most favorite model of Aung San Suu Kyi.

18 July (2008), death in custody with TB at Mandalay prison, Ko Rarpyi (a) Maung Maung Rarpyi (a) Khin Maung Tint (1962-2008), political prisoner 2 times, 20-year imprisonment (1998), 8-8-88uprising, All Burma Students Democratic Front.

19 July (1947, 10:37 AM, Saturday), Martyrs’ Day (a) Arzarni Day. Gen Aung San and his cabinet

members, Mahn Ba Khaing, Thakin Mya, Dedoke U Ba Cho, Abdul Razak, U Ba Win and Saopha

of Mong Pawng Sao San Tun, cabinet secretary U Ohn Maung and a bodyguard Yebaw Maung

Htwe were assassinated. U Ba Gyan, U Aung Zan Wai and U Mya were the only survivors.Usually sirens are sounded at 10:37 AM with a two-minute silence was held throughout the wholecountry in honour of the nine Martyrs of Burma. Since 1988 this ritual has been discarded by theBurmese military junta nowadays and there are very few public activities, for example previouspractices of flying flags at half mast or sounding are no more practiced nowadays.

20 July (1989), Aung San Suu Kyi placed under first house arrest and held her incommunicado. First 20July 1989 – 10 July 1995, Second 22 September 2000 – 6 May 2002 and Third 30 May 2003 – 13November 2010. She had been locked up by Gen Ne Win (1911-2002), Gen Saw Maung (1928-1997) and Gen Than Shwe for 15 of the past 22 years (1988-2010).

20 July (2004), death soon after release, Wanay Soe (a) Ko Nay Win (1959-2004), Editor of Pyit Hmu magazine, NLD Ye, Mon.

21 July (2004), death in custody at Kale prison, U Khin Maung Myint, Supporting Committee for CentralYouth Wing of NLD, Latha Township, Rangoon.

23 July (1988), resignation of Chairman Gen Ne Win of the Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP / Ma SaLa), Traitor of 30 Comrades. During his farewell speech to the Extraordinary Session of the BSPPParty Congress, he angrily warned against potential protestors on the street, stating that if thedisturbances continued the Army would have to be called and I would like to declare from here thatif the Army shoots it has no tradition of shooting into the air. It would shoot straight to hit.

23 July (1991), death in custody at Tharawaddy prison, U Maung Maung Aye, National Democracy Party,Kamayut, Rangoon.

24 July (2004), death soon after release, U Kyi Tin Oo, NLD Hlaing Township, Rangoon.



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26 July (1942), DOB, Daw Mar Mar Aye, native of Myaungmya, Irrawaddy, nationally recognizedBurmese Classical singer, former director of the Burma Broadcasting Service, New York, USA1998. She was gagged by Censorship Board in Burma.

27 July (1977), Ohn Kyaw Myint Day. An attempted coup ringleader (1976), Captain Ohn Kyaw Myint,Rangoon university student in 1962, OTS 29, best cadet, personal assistant to then Army Chief of

Staff Gen Kyaw Htin, was hanged by military junta on 27 July 1977. He opposed to Ne Win’sBurmese Way to Socialism which he felt was leading the country to ruin. The prison authoritiestortured him mentally by giving him hope and then one night they came and took him out around 8PM suddenly and hanged him between 3 and 4 AM., the next morning. They even did not have thedecency to inform his wife. His wife only knew when she came to see him for regular visit, whenthey delivered his belongings to her. She left heart-broken, crying. Associates: Lt San Kyi, Capt TunKyaw and Capt Win Htein. Government Witness: Capt Win Thein. Informer: Gen Than Tin, 1976.

29 July (1971), Wa National Revolution Day, Wa National Organisation (WNO).29 July (1990), Gandhi Hall Declaration. We, the National League for Democracy Pyithu Hluttaw

members, after assembling here at the Mahatama Gandhi Hall in Kyauktada township, Rangoon, onthe seventh and eighth waxing days of Wagaung BE 1352, 28 and 29 July 1990, and after consulting

and discussing the matters concerning the well being of the nation, State affairs and convening of thePyithu Hluttaw, unanimously adopt this Gandhi Hall Declaration. In the first Multi Party GeneralElection held in 30 years on 27 May 1990, the National League for Democracy enjoying theoverwhelming support of the nation, won 392 seats out of 485 seats. Thus, not only has the NationalLeague for Democracy won over half of the Pyithu Hluttaw (People’s Assembly) seats but has atotal majority of over eighty percent to lead the Pyithu Hluttaw and to form a strong government inaccordance with the practice of democratic countries. Now the Multi-Party Democracy GeneralElections have been successfully held. It is only natural that the Pyithu Hluttaw be convened shortlyafter the elections. However sixty days have gone passed since the elections, and the Pyithu Hluttawhas not been convened. The National League for Democracy, which has won an overwhelmingmajority in the elections, basing on short-term and long-term interests of the State, has proposed tothe State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to hold frank and sincere discussions withgood faith and with the object of national reconciliation. However, the State Law and OrderRestoration Council has not given a reply to our proposal in any way. Only the Pyithu Hluttawconstituted of Pyithu Hluttaw representatives who have been elected with the confidence of thepeople will be able to solve, in accordance with the wishes of the people, the political, economic andsocial crises faced by the people today. Therefore, in accordance with Article (3), chapter (2) of thePyithu Hluttaw Elections Law, which states: “The Pyithu Hluttaw shall be formed with the Hluttawrepresentatives who have been elected according to this law from the constituencies”, it is of vitalimportance to convene the Pyithu Hluttaw expeditiously. Only the Pyithu Hluttaw represented by ushas the responsibility to adopt the new constitution which aims at building a new democratic union.Under the present circumstances, we are fully aware of the crises, hardships and problems whichmust be solved during the transitionary period from one-party system to multi-party democraticsystem in the country. We hope that solutions will be found by a frank and sincere discussion withgood faith and with the object of national reconciliation based on mutual respect between theNational League for Democracy and the State Law and Order Restoration Council. Calling for theconvening of the Pyithu Hluttaw constituted of people’s representatives is the most basic legal rightof the people. In accordance with the wishes of the people, Article (3) Chapter (2) of the PyithuHluttaw Election Law, the essence of the democratic system and international procedures, we, theNational League for Democracy Pyithu Hluttaw members, unanimously call on the State Law andOrder Restoration Council on this day to convene the Pyithu Hluttaw during September 1990. Pyithu



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Hluttaw Members, National League for Democracy, Mahatama Gandhi Hall, Bo Aung Gyaw Street,Rangoon.

31 July (2002), death in custody at Moulmein prison, Mai Aik Pan, Palaung State Liberation Party/Front,National Democratic Front, Namsang, Shan.

August 2012

1 August (2001), death in custody at Thayet prison, Saw Tin Myint, Karen National Union, Lepadan,Irrawaddy.

2 August, Dhamma Day (according to lunar calendar Waso Full Moon Day).2 August (1957), Founding Day of New Mon State Party (NMSP), (according to lunar calendar Waso Full

Moon Day).2 August (1992), death in custody at Insein prison, Mahn Dawait (1936-92), Rangoon University Student

Union, Karen National Union, Wakema, Irrawaddy.2 August (1996), death in custody at Insein prison, U Hla Than (1947-96), lawyer, MP 1990, NLD Coco

Islands, Rangoon.6 August (1988), Pegu Massacre, over 20 students and civilians were gunned down by Fascist Burmese

troops in front of High School (3), Pegu.7 August (1993), death in custody at Myitkyina prison, Sumprabum Labour Camp, U Cho Gyi, CEC of

National Democratic Front, Mandalay.7 August (1998), death in custody at Tharawaddy prison, Tharawaddy Hospital, U Saw Win (a) Kyaw Zaw

Linn (1937-98), MP 1990, NLD Htilin, Magwe, assistant editor of Botataung Newspaper,University Student Union.

8 August (1988), 8-8-88 uprising (a) 8/8/88 Nation-wide democracy uprising, approximately 10,000 wereimprisoned as well as 500 - 3000 students, monks and civilians were brutally killed by the order of Number One Gen / U Ne Win, President Brig-Gen / U Sein Lwin, Minister of Home and Religious

Affairs Maj-Gen Min Gaung, Chief of Police Thein Aung, Head of Rangoon Police Department PeKyi, and Rangoon Division Party member Khin Maung Win using 11 and 22 Light InfantryDivisions. Secret Code Names: Ne Win – Mar Ga, Sein Lwin – Chin The (Order: Kill every thingsexcept power pole and dog.), Min Gaung – Pyan Lhua 1, Khin Maung Win – Pyan Lhua 2, Pe Kyi – Daw Na.

8 August (1990). In commemoration of the second anniversary of 8-8-88 uprising, more than 7,000 monksand novices walked through the streets of Mandalay, solemnly and peacefully accepting alms fromthe people. Soldiers confronted the monks and opened fire, striking monks with batons, kickingmonk’s bowls and robes, killing two monks and two students, and wounding seventeen others. One

novice disappeared. Monastics began to boycott all Burmese military and their families, by refusingto accept alms from them and to administer Buddhist rituals to them, such as weddings and funerals.

The military junta invaded all 133 monasteries in Mandalay with troops and armor, abolished severalmonastic organizations, replaced the heads of leading monasteries with state-controlled monks,restructured the Buddhist hierarchy, arrested thousands of monks, imprisoned four hundred for termsof three to twenty years, tortured and killed many, forced at least 75 out of the monastic life, andobliged many to flee into exile.

9 August (1788), DOB, Rev. Adoniram Judson (9 August 1788 – 12 April 1850), American Baptistmissionary, lexicographer, interpreter in Burmese Army, and Bible translator to Burmese. Born inMassachusetts in 1788. Helped form the American Baptist Missionary Union. During the Anglo-Burmese War, he spent twenty-one months at king’s prison in Ava. In 1834 completed a translationof the whole Bible into the Burmese language. From 1845-1847, after thirty-four years in Burma, he



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took his only furlough to his native land. Returning to Burma, he spent his remaining years workingon his English-Burmese dictionary. He died in 1850 and was buried at sea.

9 August (1948), Karenni Revolution Day. The invading Burmese troops and the militia of the pro-Burmese traitors invaded Karenni State and attacked Mya Lè village in August 1948. Although U Bee Htu Re, the president of United Karenni Independence Council (UKIC) with the Karenni police

and the people of Mya Lè village resisted with all their might, the invading Burmese troops got theupper hand and they had to retreat to Pruso. When they arrived at Pruso they met with the sawpya of Kyenphogyi and with the rest of the members of UKIC. They formed the Karenni Resistancegovernment under the political guidance of the Karenni National Organization (KNO), in order tomaintain the independence and sovereignty of Karenni State. To resist the invading Burmese troopsthroughout Karenni State by every possible mean and to organize the whole Karenni people toparticipate in the Resistance movement, they formed the Karenni National Resistance Movement.On 9 August, the invading Burmese troops captured three places in Karenni State. The invadingBurmese troops captured Mya Lè and surrounding villages. The capital Loikaw was taken by theBurmese military police that had been stationed at Htisakha and Loikaw. Finally, Mawchi wascaptured by the Burmese military police stationed there. Stating with that attack on August 9, 1948,

the Karenni people took up arms and fought against the invading Burmese troops. Consequently, theKarenni people recognized 9 August as the Karenni National Resistance Day, and still celebrate theanniversary of the resistant day every year.

9 August (1988). Sagaing Massacre, in which around 300-600 civilians were killed under the order givenby Thura Kyaw Zwa and Brig-Gen Tun Kyi. Several thousand demonstrators converged on a policestation in Sagaing and were shot at by police and troops. Reportedly, 537 persons were killed (theofficial figure was 31) and witnesses report that police dumped many of the bodies into theIrrawaddy river.

11 August (1936), DOB, Ko Lay (Ava Ghonyi), native of Ava, Mandalay, famous poet, gagged by CensorBoard.

12 August (1930), DOB, Mr. George Soros, Hungarian-American, financial speculator, philanthropist,founder of Open Society Institute, Chairman of Soros Fund Management LCC, New York, USA.

12 August (1950), Karen Martyrs’ Day when Saw Ba U Gyi, who was the first President of the KarenNational Union and the founding father of the Karen Revolution, along with eight leaders includingSaw Sankey and English Major Vivien on the way to Bangkok, was assassinated in Hto Kaw Koevillage, Kawkareik, by Maj Sein Lwin under an order of Gen Ne Win. In order to avoid making ashrine to the fallen Karen hero, his body was thrown into the sea near Moulmein. He was a lawyerrevolutionary, Minister of Revenue of the Burmese Government 1937, Minister of Information 1946and Minister of Transport 1947.

13 August (1940), DOB, Ludu Sein Win, 15 different pen names, veteran journalist and social critics,political prisoner 1967-80 (2 years in Coco Island), Upper Burma’s left-wing Ludu (the People)newspaper, his name has been censored / suspended / banned in Burmese press several times,Rangoon. Idol: An example of courage to the next generation of activists.

13 August (1967), Bloody Rice Killing Day. Burmese military killed 100-300 Arakanese in the streets of Arakan State’s capital, Akyab, when they gathered to stage a peaceful demonstration asking the

Burmese military junta for more rice. Daw Aye May, U San Thein, U Thein Nu, U Tha Aye, U TunWin, Maung Nu, among others, were killed by Tatmadaw.

13 August (2005), death of U Tun Wai (a) Lay Lay (1920-13 August 2005), renowned and beloved actor,respected in cinematic, artistic and political circles political prisoner 1967+, banned from directingand making movies and videos, organiser to make the famous Aung San Suu Kyi’s public address at

Shwedagon Pagoda happen on 26 August 1988. The monument, inscribed with remarkable words:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_National_Union






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What one can do is only in a lifetime, of the well-known late famous actor Tun Wai was removedfrom the Taunglaylone Monastery in Amarapura by an order of the Burmese authorities in 2006.

14 August (1990), death in custody at Akyab prison, U Tha Tun (a) Oo Tha Htun (1908-90), scholar,distinguished historian, Arakan League for Democracy, Mrauk U, Arakan.

15 August (1939), Founding Day of Communist Party of Burma (CPB), the oldest existing political party

in Burma. Founders were Thakin Aung San (General Secretary), Thakin Soe (in charge of massorganisation), Thakin Ba Hein, Yebaw Ba Tin (a) Goshal , Thakin Hla Pe (a) Bo Let Ya, Yebaw

Tun Maung (a) Dr. Nath, and Thakin Bo. Secret location: 118 49th Street, East Rangoon.When Thakin Soe’s Alan Ni Party (Red Flag Communist Party) split from the Communist Party of Burma / Ba Ka Pa in February 1946, accusing it of revisionism Earl Browder, leader of theAmerican Communist Party, who proposed that armed struggle would no longer be necessary, asworld fascism and imperialism had been weakened, making constitutional methods a real option toachieve national liberation and went underground, Thakin Than Tun and the majority of Communists continued to cooperate with the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League / Pha Sa Pa La.In July 1946, Than Tun was forced to resign as general secretary, and the CPB, now dubbed the Alan

Phyu Party (White Flag Communist Party), expelled from the AFPFL the following October, after

the CPB had accused Aung San and others of selling out to the British and settling for a shamindependence. The CPB is a force to be reckoned with in future upheavals and potentially a majorchallenge to the military regime. The party continues to recruit according to the hard to join, easy toquit principle. If you are not a communist at 20 you don’t have a hear t. But if you are still acommunist at 40 you don’t have a head.

17 August (1948), Karenni Army Day. The Burmese troops captured U Bee Htu Re, the president of United Karenni Independence Council at Pruso, and took him to Loikaw. Seeing the weakness of Karenni people, the Karenni Resistance government consolidated the various Karenni forces intoKarenni Army on 17 August and that 17 August 1948 was recognized as Karenni Army Day.

19 August (2004), death of U Kyi Maung (1919 – 19 August 2004), a Veteran Jailbird, former militarycolonel, vice-chairman led the National League for Democracy to a sweeping victory in 1990elections, Member of Parliament (MP) 1990 for Bahan Township, Constituency 2, Rangoon. “Thearmy must be professional and apolitical,” said Col Kyi Maung in 1990.

19 August (2007), Saffron Revolution 2007 after the regime hiked fuel prices on August 15, students andBuddhist monks took the lead, starting in Pakokku, Magwe. In response to the protests, thegovernment began arresting and beating demonstrators. On August 21-22, 2007, participants on theAugust 19 protests were detained by local authorities.The government arrested 13 prominentBurmese dissidents including Min Ko Naing, Mya Aye, Ko Ko Gyi, Min Zeya, Jimmy, Pyone Cho,and Ant Bwe Kyaw. On September 5, 2007, Burmese troops forcibly broke up a peacefuldemonstration in Pakokku and injured three monks. On September 22, around two thousand monksmarched through Rangoon and ten thousand through Mandalay, with other demonstrations in fivetownships across Burma. Those marching through the capital chanted the “Myitta Thote” (theBuddha’s words on loving kindness) marching through a barricade on the street in front of Nobel

Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Although still under house arrest, Suu Kyi made a brief public appearance at the gate of her residence to accept the blessings of the Buddhist monks.Effective September 26, Burma’s junta imposed dusk -till-dawn curfews on the country’s two largestcities of Rangoon and Mandalay. Additionally, gatherings of more than five people were prohibited.On September 27, the junta security forces began raiding monasteries across the country to quell theprotests, arresting at least 200 monks in Rangoon and 500 more in the northeast.The monks demanded that the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC):1. Apologize to the Pakokku monks, by midnight of September 17, 20072. Reduce the prices of fuel oil and basic commodities



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3. Unconditionally release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners4. Hold dialogue with the democratic political opposition representatives in order to begin a

national reconciliation process.Today more than 250 Buddhist monks are imprisoned and some were killed in the notorious prisons,thousands have been disrobed and key monasteries remain under constant watch for their role in the

Saffron Revolution, September 2010.23 August (1988), U Tun Wai, renowned and beloved actor, with U Win Tin and U Moe Thu organized thefamous Aung San Suu Kyi’s public address to a crowd of more than 500,000 people, including BoYan Naing, at Shwedagon Pagoda. In fact the organizers behind the scenes were students.

26 August (2000), death in custody at Moulmein prison of murderous terror, U Win Bo, former Armycaptain. To honor political prisoners in notorious prisons all over the coutry, 26 August has beencommemorated every year as Burma Prisoners’ Day.

September 2012

1 September (1948), Mon Revolution Day (according to lunar calendar Wagaung Full Moon Day). In their63rd Mon Revolution Day statement 2010, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) said: “In light of the

current political situation in Burma, the armed revolution is still the only practical way to achieve theultimate goals of Mon national sovereignty and self-determination. Hence, it is extremely essentialnow for our Mon to develop a greater revolutionary awareness and determination. As long as therights of ethnic nationalities are not fully guaranteed, Mon armed forces and armed revolution mustalways be in place to fight for our rights and protect our Mon people. The military regime stillrefuses to recognize and guarantee the democratic rights and the rights of ethnic nationalities inBurma.”

3 September (1950), DOB, U Htun Aung Gyaw, political prisoner 1975-80, 1974 U Thant uprising, 1975June strike, 8-8-88 uprising, Freedom Fighter of Burma 1988, former chairman of ABSDF, president

of Civil Society Burma, New York, USA. Atrocity: Burmese generals are using their guns to quietthe opposition and the people in general.5 September, Democracy Heroes’ Day of ABSDF.5 September (2010). Maung Aung Thu Hein and Maung Soe Paing Zaw were shot four to six times and

killed at home by Capt Thein Kyi Soe, private Maung Tun, and soldiers of Light Infantry Battalion59 in Pegu under Light Infantry Division 77, threatening the public that when the Tatmadaw istested, will die in agony; try it.

6 September (1897), DOB, Fr Clemente Vismara (6 September 1897 – 15 June 1988), Pontifical Institutefor Foreign Missions (PIME). He is known as the “Patriarch of Burma” for having been there 6

years and contributing decisively to the evangelization of the Nation. He was born in AgrateBrianza, Italy. He entered the Seminary of St Peter in Seveso in 1913 and was ordained a priest in

the Cathedral of Milan on 26 May 1923. After a few months Fr Clement departed for Burma, wherehe sprouted the Gospel for the rest of his long life and was finally buried. The founder of fivemissionary districts, he brought the faith to many villages, building chapels, churches, schools,hospitals, etc, raising orphaned children, at his death there were more than 200, from families tornapart by famine, epidemics and war or those rejected because they were seen as ‘invalid’. At hisdeath in Mongping on 15 June 1988, the fame of his sanctity spread quickly. Clemente always said:“Today we all ate, tomorrow the Lord will provide.” For the cause of canonisation which began in1996, the postulation collected 2,200 letters and 700 articles. By the Archbishop of Milan, CardinalDionigi Tettamanzi, the beatification of Fr Clemente Vismara was celebrated in Piazza del Duomoin Milan on 26 June 2011.



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6 September (1936), DOB, Dr. Aung Khin, physician, Vice-Chairman of Committee for the Restoration of

Democracy in Burma, Board member of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance, USA.Regardless of religion or ethnicity, let us unite and fight for the Cause of Burma in solidarity. Wemust have three essential weapons in order to win Than Shwe’s neocolonialism and our lostdemocracy and human rights. They are (1) Unity, (2) Tenacity, and (3) Perseverance.

8 September (1948), Karenni Martyrs’ Day. After the consolidation, the Karenni Resistance armyrecaptured Mawchi, Phasaung, Bawlake and Namphè. When they saw their troops had been defeatedthe officers of the invading Burmese troops and Karenni militia, took U Bee Htu Re out of the jail,put him in a sack, dragged him by motorcar and then threw him into the Beluchaung River, on 8September 1948. Because of this unforgettable cruelty, Karenni people recognized 8 September asMartyrs Day.

9 September, Grandparents’ Day (second Sunday of September) to honor grandparents, to givegrandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become

aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.9 September (1939), U Ottama Day, death of nationalist Buddhist Arakanese monk Venerable Sayadaw U

Ottama (Sunday, 28 December 1879 – 9 September 1939), native of Akyab, Arakan, the pioneer and

martyr of the Burmese independence movement, cosmopolitan revolutionary. He started his politicalactivities, lecturing for Young Men Buddhist Association and giving anti-colonial speeches. In 1921,he was arrested for his infamous “Craddock, Get Out!” speech against Craddock Scheme byGovernor of British Burma Sir Reginald Craddock. He was imprisoned 12-month (1920), 3-year(1924) and third time in 1928.

11 September (1943), DOB, U Hkun Htun Oo, political prisoner 93-year imprisonment (2005, arrested 17February 2005) Putao / Toungoo prisons, MP 1990, Chairman Shan Nationalities League forDemocracy, Committee Representing People’s Parliament, Hsipaw (1), Shan. Father: Kyar Zon.

15 September (2006), The UNSC decided to put the situation of Burma on its agenda. The decision wasadopted by a 10-4 vote, with one abstention. (10 supported: U.S., U.K., France, Denmark, Greece,Japan, Argentina, Ghana, Peru, and Slovakia; 4 opposed: China, Russia, Republic of the Congo andQatar; and one abstained: Tanzania)

15 September (2007), International Day of Democracy. Democracy is a universal value based on thefreely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and culturalsystems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives. The UN General Assembly, inresolution A/62/7 (2007) encouraged Governments to strengthen national programmes devoted tothe promotion and consolidation of democracy, and also decided that 15 September of each yearshould be observed as the International Day of Democracy.

16 September (1998), Founding Day of Committee Representing of People Parliament (CRPP).17 September (2002), death in custody at Insein prison, U Aung May Thu, All Burma Federation of

Students Union, NLD Minhla, Tharawaddy, Pegu.18 September (1988), General Saw Maung, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Services and Minister of

Defence, had assumed power as the Chairman of a 19-member State Law and Order RestorationCouncil (SLORC), so-called coup d’etat. Ko Soe Kyaw Phone Maung, student from Rangoon Art and Science University (Hlaing campus)was killed in front of the USA embassy.

19 September (1929), U Wisara Day. On the 166th day of hunger strike in Rangoon Central Prison,Sayadaw U Wisara died for the freedom of Burma. His spirit still helped reawaken politicalconsciousness in Burma, and with his final words, to “never forget,” urged the people to persevereuntil independence was obtained from Britain. His statue stands near the Shwedagon Pagoda, thenation’s holiest shrine and rallying point for the monk demonstrations against the Burmeseoppressive military generals.



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19 September (1988), Moulmein Massacre, seven students were killed.19 September (1988), shot to death by fascist Burmese soldiers, Ma Win Maw Oo (1972-1988) holding the

picture of National Hero Aung San, high school student, Hlaing Thayar, Rangoon. On the picturepostcard of ABSDF, holding her legs was Dr Saw Lwin, Bogale district hospital, committed suicidein 1995 under the pressure from MI and other side Dr Min Thein, ABSDF battalion 210 in Saw Hta,

was captured at the Mokpalin battle and murdered in Rangoon by MI in 1991.21 September (1981), International Day of Peace. May Peace Prevail On Earth. The Peace Day isdedicated to peace, or specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporaryceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military groups, andpeoples. Long live absolute world peace.

22 September (1992), Founding Day of National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB = DAB + NDF+ MPU + NLD-LA).

22 September (2007). A march of monks to the residence of Aung San Suu Kyi, “We want national

reconciliation, we want dialogue with the military, we want freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi andother political prisoners,” demanded monks.

24 September (1927), DOB, Maung Su San (a) Chan Aye (a) Tin Shwe, lawyer, highly respected writer,

editor, political prisoner 1957, 1990-92 Insein prison, MP 1990 NLD Moulmein (2), 1938-39Rangoon University student boycott, Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League 1945, Ba Ka Tha 1946-47, Ba Ka Pa 1949-57, Mingalar Taung Nyunt, Rangoon.

24 September (1968), death of CPB Chairman Thakin Than Tun.24 September (1988), Founding Day of National League for Democracy (NLD).25 September (1994), death in custody at Tharawaddy prison, U Kyi, NLD Tharawaddy, Pegu.26 September (2007), By the order of Sr-Gen Than Shwe (Butcher of Burma 2007), Col / U Aung Thaung,

Lt-Col / U Thaung, Lt-Gen Myint Swe, Maj-Gen Htay Oo, Maj-Gen Maung Oo, Maj-Gen Hla HtayOo, Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Brig-Gen Win Myint, Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Col Thein Han, Lt-Col Aung Kyaw Zaw; Fascist Burman soldiers from Light Infantry Divisions 99 as well as 77 shotand killed approximately 31-200 protesters, ransacked Buddhist monasteries, beaten monks anddissidents and arrested an estimated 3,000-6000 people. The Tatmadaw burned an undeterminednumber of bodies, some still alive, at the Ye Way crematorium sealed off by armed guards northeastof Rangoon.Shin U Thilawuntha, professor of sacred Buddhist scripture of the Yuzana Monastery in Myitkyina,was beaten to death in detention. Maj-Gen Ohn Myint ordered the arrest and personally involved inthe brutal torture.

27 September (1942), DOB, Pyapon Ni Lon Oo (a) Aung Myint, highly respected poet, political prisoner,gagged by Censorship Board.

27 September (2007), Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai, AFP, was shot to death by the Burmesemilitary near the Sule Pagoda in Rangoon while covering the demonstration.

28 September (1982), Maj Mahn Ngwe Aung and Myo Aung, Karen National Union, were killed during ashootout with soldiers guarding the building while attempting to seize control of the Burmesebroadcasting building in Rangoon.

28 September (2005), death in custody at Insein prison, Nai Aung Loon (a) Ong Lorn, New Mon StateParty.

October 2012

1 October (1999), Burmese Embassy Siege, Bangkok, Thailand. Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors: Myint Thein, Ye Thiha, Hla Myint, Kyaw Oo (Johnny) and Swe Min.



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1 October (2008), death in custody, Ko Aung Moe Win, NLD youth, Natmauk, Magwe.2 October (1869), DOB, Mahatma Gandhi (a) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30

January 1948), political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement, Non-violence idol of Aung San Suu Kyi, India.

2 October (2007) International Day of Non-Violence. On 15 June 2007 the United Nations General

Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution bythe General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in “anappropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness.” In January 2004, Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi had taken a proposal for an

International Day of Non-Violence from a Hindi Teacher in Paris, Akshay Bakaya, teachingInternational school students in Paris to the World Social Forum in Bombay. The idea graduallyattracted the interest of some leaders of India’s Congress Party until a Satyagraha Conferenceresolution in New Delhi in January 2007 initiated by Sonia Gandhi and Archbishop Desmond Tutucalled upon the United Nations to adopt the idea.

3 October (1990, Thadingyut Full Moon Day of the year 1352). Patam nikkujjana kamma – meaning arefusal to accept alms from members of the Fascist military regime and their families or to attend

religious ceremonies held by them. Eight offences are listed as reasons for holding “patamnikkujjana kamma.” These include vilifying or making insidious comparisons between monks,

inciting dissension among monks, defaming Buddha and Dhamma and the Sangha.First: Some senior monks belonging to the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee were alsoinvolved in the boycott campaign starting on Thadingyut Full Moon Day. On 20 October 1990, theregime issued Order 6/90, dissolving “illegal” monk organizations and unions. The next day, Order

7/90 was issued, declaring that any monk or novice who contravened regulations banning non-religious activities would be disassociated from the Sangha and would be prosecuted. The followingday, the military crackdown began. In Mandalay alone, more than 130 monasteries were raided andmonks were disrobed and imprisoned. As many as 300 monks nationwide were forced to disrobe andwere arrested. Some monks in Burma may believe that the “patam nikkujjana kamma” of 1990 is

still in effect, since they haven’t yet received any proper apology – only a harsh crackdown.Second: On 5 September 2007, several hundred monks in the city of Pakokku marched and chantedthe Metta Sutta in solidarity with a suffering nation. Troops attacked, tying up and beating threemonks. The next day, young monks briefly took several government officials hostage. In a widelyread leaflet, the All Burma Monks Alliance demanded that the military apologize for their brutalactions against Pakokku’s monks. There was no apology. The alliance urged all of Burma’s Buddhist

monks to boycott alms. City by city, monks took to the streets. The Saffron Revolution had begun.On 17 September 2007, the Buddhist monks have withdrawn spiritual services from all militarypersonnel in a symbolic move that is seen as very powerful in such a deeply religious country asBurma.Third: The International Burmese Monks’ Organization and the Sangha League are launching

another monks’ boycott in Burma similar to the 2007 Saffron Revolution when Buddhist monks

were instrumental in leading anti-government protests. The All Burma Monks’ Alliance, which led

the 2007 demonstrations, has renewed its call for the regime to apologize for the beating and arrestsof monks in Pakokku two years ago and to release all monks who were imprisoned during thesubsequent crackdown. The monks set an Oct. 3, 2009, deadline for the regime to respond, sayingthat if there is no apology, monks will start another boycott of alms offered by all military andgovernment personnel. Burmese authorities responded to the monks’ call by increasing security inRangoon early this month. In October, the ABMA expelled junta leader Sr-Gen Than Shwe from theBuddhist faith on the grounds that he had failed to issue an apology for his abuse of monks and thereligion of Buddhism.



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3 October (2005), death in custody at Police Station, U Htay Lwin, NLD, Aung Myay Thazan, Mandalay.4 October (1926), DOB, Kyemon U Thaung (a) Aung Bala (a) Tin Maung (4 October 1926 – 3 April

2008), native of Nyaung U, Mandalay, renowned senior journalist, writer, political prisoner 1964-67, Mirror Daily, New Era journal, Burma Media Association, Radio Free Asia, International PressInstitute (IPI) Press Hero Award (2000, Austria), Florida, USA. His name was gagged by Censorship

Board in Burma since 1978. Wife: Tin Tin Win.5 October (1994), World Teachers’ Day. It is celebrated annually across the world on October 5th. Eversince the importance of teachers has been recognized by UNESCO, by adopting the“Recommendation concerning the status of teachers.” This includes celebrations to honor the

teachers for their special contribution in a particular field area or the community in general.6 October (1989), Ye Thiha and Ye Yint hijacked F-28 aircraft of Burma Airways that was on its way from

Mergui to Rangoon, and forced the aircraft to land in Thailand without harming any people. Theydemanded, among other things, the release of Burmese political prisoners.

7 October (1897), DOB, Thakin Mya (a) Mya Shwe, (7 October 1897 – 19 July 1947, Martyrs’ Day), nativeof Prome, National Hero, Martyr, Kemmendine Students Union Club 1916, always smiling SayarMya at the Myoma National High School, lawyer defending Sayar San, Dobama Asiayone 1934, MP

1936/1939 Southern Tharawaddy, EC Chauk-Yenangyaung oilfield workers’ strike, chairman of theFirst National Convention of the Burmese Peasant League 1939, cabinet member of Bogyoke AungSan.

7 October (1931), DOB, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa.9 October (1983), Rangoon bombing by North Korea, North Korean commandos detonated a bomb in

Rangoon during a state visit by Republic of Korea officials. Twenty-one Burmese and Koreanofficials were killed.

9 October (2007), death in custody at interrogation center Palate, Mandalay, U Win Shwe (1965-2007),NLD Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay.

9 October (2007), Founding Day of Generation Wave (GW). Hip Hop singer Zeya Thaw is a founder.10 October (1941), DOB, U Peter Limbin, political prisoner four times 7 years, MP 1990, Independent,

Maymyo, Mandalay, President of Members of Parliament Union, former Foreign Minister of NCGUB, Thailand / New York, USA / Burma 2011.

10 October (2003), death in custody at Insein prison, Saw Do Saw (a) Saw Than, Karen National Union,Karen.

10 October (2007), Ko Win Shwe, NLD, was murdered by police and security forces during interrogation inSagaing. White House foreign affairs spokesman Gordon Johndroe said “The United States strongly

condemns the atrocities committed by the junta and calls for a full investigation into the death of Win Shwe during his detention in Burma. The junta must stop the brutal treatment of its people andpeacefully transition to democracy or face new sanctions from the United States.”

11 October (1999), death of U Ye Kyaw Thu, co-founder of Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in

Burma (CRDB). 11 October (2002), death in custody at Kengtung prison, Sai Pha Than, NLD Kengtung, Shan.12 October (1988), Founding Day of Arakan League for Democracy (ALD). The ALD which won 11 of

the 2 Arakan parliamentary seats in 1990, issued a statement ‘Nine-Point Arakan Demand’ on 1

July 1995 after the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. To facilitate the building of a peaceful,prosperous and genuine federal union, the ALD urged SLORC to release all political prisoners,recognize the 1990 election results, re-instate all Members of Parliament ‘disqualified’ by SLORC,

dissolve the National Convention, declare a nation-wide cease-fire, repeal all undemocratic laws,agree to equality and self-determination for all, guarantee human rights and basic freedoms, and holdtripartite talks between the armed forces, the democracy movement and ethnic leaders.



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13 October (1993), death in custody at Thayet Prison, Ko Ai Ko (a) Aik Ko (1962-93), student at Workers’

College during 8-8-88 uprising, Hlaing, Rangoon.14 October (1988), Founding Day of Democratic Party for New Society (DPNS).14 October (1991), Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Aung San Suu Kyi as 1991 Nobel Peace Prize

winner. She was not able to attend her Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony because she was under

house arrest, so her elder son Alexander Aris accepted the prize for her on 10 December 1991.16 October (2006), death in custody at Mandalay prison, Ko Thet Win Aung, student. US State Departmentstatement: This death demonstrates the tragic price the people of Burma are forced to pay foropposing the repressive policies of the regime and standing up for their human and democraticrights.

18 October (1962), DOB, Ko Min Ko Naing (Conqueror of Kings) (a) Paw Oo Htun, native of Rangoon,student president, second well-known political dissident in Burma (first Aung San Suu Kyi), writer,poet, political prisoner 1989-2004 Insein / Akyab prisons, 2006 and 65 ½ -year imprisonment (2008,arrested 22 August 2007) Insein / Maubin / Kengtung / Thayet prisons, zoology student during 8-8-88 uprising, Saffron Revolution 2007, chairman of All Burma Federation of Students Union / Ba KaTha (re-established 1988), 88 Generation Students, John Humphrey Freedom Award (1999,

Canada), Student Peace Prize (2001, Norway), Civil Courage Prize (2005, New York) and GwangjuPrize for Human Rights (2009, South Korea), Thingangyun, Rangoon. Father: Thet Nyunt; mother:Hla Kyi; sister: Kyi Kyi Nyunt. Health condition: Eye infection (March 2008). gout, osteoporosis,and high blood pressure. The people of Burma must have the courage to say no to injustice and yesto the truth. They must also work to correct their own wrongdoing that hurt society, August 2006.White Expression (10 October 2006 18 October 2006, his 44th Birthday), wearing white clothingin a show of support for the release of all political prisoners, was held to pressure the militarygovernment to release him and all of political prisoners. The 88 Generation Students also organizedthe Signature campaign (started a week after Min Ko Naing and four colleagues were arrested) topressure the junta to release him and all political prisoners. Open Heart campaign (4 January 2007,Independence Day) was to encourage the people to exercise freedom of expression writing to StatePeace and Development Council leader senior general Than Shwe about their feelings under themilitary government. White Sunday campaign (11 March 2007 20 May 2007), visited thefamilies of political prisoners in Rangoon every Sunday, was to express support to family membersof political prisoners.

18 October (1990), death in custody at Insein prison, Hse Shi (a) Hsi Shi (a) Se Shi, Kachin IndependenceArmy, Kachin.

19 October (2004), death in custody at Insein prison, Rangoon General Hospital, Ko Zaw Myo Htet (a) Zaw

Zaw, university student, Minhla, Sagaing.20 October (1998), death in custody at Wakema prison, U Kyaw Din (1939-98), NLD Wakema, Irrawaddy.20 October (2007), World Malaria Day. It is hoped that the establishment of World Malaria Day will

mobilize communities across the world to get involved in the fight. It is in recognition of the factthat the world health community recognizes malaria as a global emergency that knows no borders.

21 October (1998), death in custody at Military Camp Mandalay, U Aung Min, NLD, Mandalay.23 October (1931), DOB, Maung Tha Ya (a) Thein Lwin, renowned Burmese novelist, political prisoner

1953-55, native of Mandalay, one of the founding members of the All Burma Federation of StudentsUnion 191, Rangoon University Students’ Union 192-3, Mandalay University Students’ Front

1953, National Literary Prize 1969 for Mut thut yat lo lan hma ngo (Crying in the Middle of theRoad), the military junta banned his works since 1989, USA. He left Burma in July 1999.

23 October (1935), DOB, U Aung Lwin (a) San Shwe Maung, repected actor and director, native of Akyab,NLD, banned from appearing in movies 2004.



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24 October (1876), DOB, Sayar San (a) Ya Gyaw (24 October 1876 – 28 November 1931), native of Shwebo, nationalist, Buddhist monk, Burmese medicine man, astrologer, leader of the anti-Britishrebellion of 1930-32, General Council of Burmese Association, Galon Army. Climbing to thegallows with his head high, he was hanged on 28 November 1931 at the British Tharawaddy prison.

25 October (1960), Founding Day of Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).

26 October (1903), DOB, Mahn Ba Khaing, (26 October 1903 – 19 July 1947, Martyrs’ Day), native of Henzada, Irrawaddy, National Hero, Martyr, Burma Rifle 1920, opened national school, MP 1937Northern Bassein, businessman of Banana plantation in Pazundaung Rangoon, cabinet member of Bogyoke Aung San.

26 October (2006), death in custody at Moulmein prison, Maung San.27 October (2007), Founding Day of International Burmese Monks Organization. The IBMO was

formed in the United States on 27 October 2007, after appeals by monks and laypeople to protectBuddhism in Burma following the regime’s brutal crackdown on the September “Saffron

Revolution.” IBMO chairman U Pannya Vamsa, Penang, Malaysia, and secretary U Uttara, head ofthe Buddhist organization, Sasana Ramsi Vihara, London.

30 October, Abhidhamma Day (according to lunar calendar Thadingyut Full Moon Day).

November 2012

1 November (1988), Founding Day of All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF, Ma Ka Da Ta).1 November (1992), assassinated by the Burmese military in Kunming, China, U Win Ko, MP 1990, NLD

Ye-U, Sagaing, Finance Minister of NCGUB.2 November (1959), DOB, Kyaw Thu, native of Rangoon, patriotic artist, a well-known actor, director,

artist, poet, Best Actor Burma Academy Award winner 1994, Best Director Burma Academy Awardwinner 2003, social activist, political prisoner 2007, vice president of the Free Funeral ServicesSociety (FFSS), Thukha clinic, Happy Haven Humanitarian Project, Saffron Revolution 2007,

Cyclone Nargis 2008, Citizen of Burma Award 2010, gagged by Censorship Board since 2007.Wife: Myint Myint Khin Pe (a) Shwe Zeegwat; son: Pyi Thein Kyaw (USA); daughter: Myint MoOo (Australia, husband Kyaw Ko Ko); father: Sein Tin; mother: Mya Than. “I will only do work that

I believe in. I won’t do any job that I don’t believe in,” is his philosophy. 3 November (2007), died one month after being beaten, Ko Ko Win, Saffron Revolution 2007, NLD South

Okkalapa, Rangoon.4 November (1946), DOB, Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States of America (2000-08). Daw

Suu has been under house arrest off and on for the last 20 years, but she never lost hope or stoppedbelieving in a free Burma, 18 December 2010.

5 November (1883), DOB, P Moe Nin (5 November 1883 – 6 January 1940), native of Thonze, Pegu, wasone of Burma’s most prolific and treasured writers. He is often regarded as the father of Burmese

short story writing and the modern Burmese novel. He translated uncountable and valuable works of general knowledge, including self-help books, from Western languages.5 November (1911), DOB, U Raschid (5 November 1911 – 21 April 1968), M.A. Nationalist leader, close

friend and associate of U Nu and Bogyoke Aung San. First General Secretary, Rangoon UniversityStudents Union (RUSU) at its founding in 1931. President of RUSU 1936. First President of AllBurma Students Union, 1936. First Student Member of the Rangoon University Council, 1937.Formed first Labour Union in Burma, 1937. Member of Drafting Committee of 1947 Constitution ofBurma. Cabinet Minister in successive Cabinets of PM U Nu, 1952 - 62. President, InternationalLabor Organization, 1961. President, All-Burma Burman Muslim Organization (BMO) 1960 – 1974Suffered six years detention after military coup of 1962; and again from 1972 to mid 1974.



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5 November (2005), death in custody at Insein prison, Ko Aung Myint Thein, human rights activist, FreeTrade Union of Burma, Democracy and Peace Party, Shwe Paukan, Rangoon.

9 November (1990), death in custody at Ye Kyi Aing Interrogation Center in Mingaladon, Rangoon, U Maung Ko (a) Sayar Ko (a) Min Thit (1938-90), General Secretary of All Burma Port Workers’Union, NLD, Rangoon.

10 November (1921), DOB, Sayagyi Paragu (meaning “expert”) (a) Hla Kyaing, (17 November 1921 – 9April 2011), native of Thananthanaw village, Henzada Township, Irrawaddy, well-Known Burmesewriter, philanthropist, ex-monk, single, founded Burma’s third largest public libr ary called ParaguShantiniketan Reference Library named after Shantiniketan (meaning “abode of peace”), aninternational university founded by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore in North OkkalapaTownship donating his own collection of 5,000 books. Much of his writing stresses the importanceof parahita and lawkahita, two Pali terms that espouse service for humankind. He established aschool for poor children. Paragu won national kudos for his translations in 1963 and 1986. And in2002, he was given Burma’s National Literary Award for his lifetime of achievements.

10 November (1990), Ye Man and Ye Htin Kyaw hijacked the Thai International Airways TG-305 airplanethat was flying from Bangkok to Rangoon and forced the plane to land in India without harming any

people. The demands put forward by them included the release of all political prisoners, includingAung San Suu Kyi; the withdrawal of martial law and the abolition of all military tribunals; thereopening of the universities, which were closed down after the 1988 military coup; and the handingover of power to the National League for Democracy, which scored a landslide victory in the 1990general elections.

11 November (1906), DOB, Gen Smith Dun (11 November 1906 – 1979), Four-foot Colonel, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, an ethnic Karen, Indian Military Academy where he won the firstSword of Honor, played a key role in the early years of Burma’s independence, a loyal andprofessional leader of the Burmese army. As its commander, he kept his Karen soldiers sharp anddisciplined. Suspicion of his ethnic roots, however, lingered even after his dismissal. Thegovernment kept him in Kalaw, Shan State under surveillance until his death in 1979.

12 November (1866), DOB, Sun Yat Sen (a) Sun Deming, (12 November 1866 – 12 March 1925), Chineserevolutionary and the Father of Modern China, China.

15 November (2002), death in custody at Insein prison, Insein Hospital, U Maung Ko, NLD KyaukpadaungMandalay.

17 November (1941), International Students Day. On 17 November 1939 students resistance in the streetsof Prague against Nazi occupation inspired the establishment of an anti-Nazi students coalition. In1941 November 17th was declared International Students Day by the International Students Councilin London that became the starting point of the founding of the International Union of Students(IUS). We will never forget the Nazi atrocities. Given the significance of the alliance, whichdefeated the Nazis, the courage that was taken by our predecessors in resisting nazism and fascism,the IUS has maintained the tradition of marking 17 November each year as the InternationalStudents Day.

18 November (1992), death in custody at Insein prison / Rangoon General Hospital, Ven. U Zawtika (1932-1992), monk, political prisoner 3-year imprisonment (1990) for 1990 Overturning of Alms Bowlreligious boycott, Shwe Phone Pwint Monastery, Pazundaung, Rangoon.

19 November (1933), DOB, Poet Tin Moe (a) U Ba Gyan (19 November 1933 – 22 January 2007), nativeof Kan Mye Zagyan, Myingyan. Cigar’s burnt down, The sun is brown, Will somebody take me

home? 20 November (1948), DOB, Mr. John Robert Bolton, Permanent U.S. Representative to the U.N. 2005-06,

Republican, played a key role in bringing Burma before the UN Security Council in 2006. He is asenior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C.



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21 November (1962), death in custody at Insein prison, Sao Shwe Thaik (1894 – 21 November 1962), awell-respected Shan political figure, was the first President of the democratic and newly independentUnion of Burma from 1948-52. He was the chairman of the chamber of nationalities until 1962. Inthe military coup of March 1962 he was arrested by the Revolutionary Council headed by GeneralNe Win and died in prison. His residence in Yawnghwe, the haw, is now a museum, and is open to

the public.The following is his presidential address to the nation on the day of independence, 4 January 1948.Let us rejoice at the independence which has come to us today, the result of sacrifices undergone byus and those who preceded us in the years that have passed. Let us rejoice also that the independencehas come not as a result of armed conflict but as the fruit of friendly negotiations with that greatnation whose political bonds we replace by mutual consent to-day with the stronger bonds of friendship and goodwill. Today is for us not only a day of freedom but also a day of reunion. For along time, the principal races of Burma, the Kachins and the Chins have tended to look uponthemselves as separate national units. Of late, a nobler vision, the vision of a Union of Burma, hasmoved our hearts, and we stand united today as one nation determined to work in unity and concordfor the advancement of Burma’s interests and for the speedy attainment of her due position as one of

the great nations of the world. It is unity which has brought our struggle for independence to thisearly fruition and may unity continue to be the watchword for every member of the SovereignIndependent Republic to be henceforth known as the Union of Burma.

25 November (1981), By resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999, the General Assembly designated 25November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invitedgovernments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise publicawareness of the problem on that day. Women’s activists have marked 2 November as a day

against violence since 1981. This date came from the brutal assassination in 1960, of the threeMirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler RafaelTrujillo (1930-1961).

27 November (1966), DOB, Ant Bwe Kyaw, M.A. (Burmese), writer, political prisoner 1988 detention,1991-1999 Insein / Tharawaddy prisons, 65 ½ -year imprisonment (11 November 2008, arrested 22August 2007) Insein / Katha prisons, 8-8-88 uprising, 2007 Saffron Revolution, All BurmaFederation Students Union 1989, 88 Generation Students 2005, Yankin, Rangoon. Father: KyawShwe (d.); mother: Tin Tin Win (political prisoner 2008).

27 November (2003), death soon after release, Ko Hla Maung, Karen, political prisoner 20-yearimprisonment (1994), MP 1990, Patriotic Old Comrades League (POCL), Kya Inn Seikkyi (1),Rangoon.

28 November, Tazaungdine Festival (according to lunar calendar Tazaungmone Full Moon Day).28 November (1931), Sayar San was hanged by the British Imperialists.29 November (1915), DOB, Ludu Daw Amar (a) Amah (a) Ahmar (29 November 1915 – 7 April 2008),

native of Mandalay, renowned journalist, Mother of Mandalay, political prisoner 1978-79, RangoonUniversity Students’ Union 1936, Kyi Pwa Yay Magazine, Ludu (People’s) Journal, her name has

been censored in Burmese press, banned on newspapers since 1967, Mandalay. She prefers thespelling Amah as her name. Do or Die: People power should be used if Burma junta doesn’t respond

to National League for Democracy (NLD) call for action, April 2006. In our country the military junta will not govern forever. Nor can rule forever. 8 August 2007.

29 November (1978), death of Bo Let Ya (a) Thakin Hla Pe. He was the second in command to GeneralAung San, Thirty Comrades, member of U Nu’s government (198), political prisoner 1963Rangoon Central prison, Parliamentary Democracy Party / People Patriot Party and was killed byKaren National Union on 29 November 1978. In 1976, his son, Major Aung Let Ya who was



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running a PDP/PPP camp at Moe Taung inside Burma, which was the HQ of the Special Command –1, was assassinated on his way back home from the front line.

December 2012

1 December (1920). Rangoon University was founded when University College and Judson College weremerged. Rangoon University modeled itself after University of Cambridge and University of OxfordFrom the beginning, Rangoon University has been at the center of civil discontent throughout itshistory. All three nationwide strikes against the British in 1920, 1936 and 1938 began at theuniversity. The tradition of student protest at the university continued under the Burmese military junta in 1962, 1974, 1988 and 1996.

1 December (1969), South East Asia Peninsular (S.E.A.P) Games uprising. Students from Rangoon,Mandalay and Moulmein took advantage of the Southeast Asian Games in Rangoon to protest theRevolutionary Council. The protest was crushed down, many students were expelled from theiruniversities and Burma stopped hosting SEAP games since then.

1 December (1988), World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused bythe spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died fromHIV/AIDS on this day.

1 December (1999), death of U Tin Maung Win, founder and chairman of Committee for the Restoration of

Democracy in Burma (CRDB). 3 December (1919), DOB, Bo Kyaw Zaw (a) Thakin Shwe, Thirty Comrades, the general of the soldiers,

military regime critic, People’s Peace Committee, Communist Party of Burma 1976, Kunming 1989,

China. Daughter: Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw.3 December (1996), 1996 December student movement in Rangoon and students marched to downtown.

Over 200 students were arrested.5 December (1927), DOB, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth King of Chakri Dynasty, Thailand.

5 December (1974), 1974 U Thant uprising, approximately 1,000 students were killed during anti-government demonstrations. One student leader Salai Tin Maung Oo, 3rd

year Zoology was hanged.In order to prevent student activists from assembling, all universities and colleges were shut downfrom December 1974 to May 1975.

6 December (1936), DOB, U Win Khet, editor, Burma Media Association, NLD (LA) Australia / Burma2011.

6 December (1959), DOB, Dr. Cynthia Maung, Backpack Health Worker Team, Maesot clinic, Thailand.7 December (1920), Burmese Student Uprising. In 1920 the students spearheaded the strike against the

Act of 1920, which placed Rangoon University under the University of Calcutta. This strike not onlydrew the support of all the people of Burma but also heightened the patriotism of the Burmesepeople. The names of the eleven Rangoon University student leaders who led the first students’

strike against British rule are inscribed on the stone erected close to the two Sun-Moon pagodas onthe southwest corner of the Shwedagon Pagoda: Ba Khin, Po Kun, Ba Oo, Aung Din, Tun Win, Pe

Thein, Ba Shin (Sandoway), Ba Shin (Tavoy), K Nyi Peik, Hla Tin, and Maung Aye .8 December (1920), National Day (according to lunar calendar Tazaungmone Waning Day 10). At

Rangoon University on 5 December 1920 (Tazaungmone Waning Day 10, 1282) student leaders:Tun Pe, Tun Wai, Pe Thein, Ko Myint, Ba Oo, and Tun Thwin protested against the Britishcolonial administration’s Rangoon University Act which forbade Burmese people from pursuinghigher learning, starting the independence movement. Burmese National Day became a symbol of the strong link between political and educational rights and highlighted the important role thatpatriotic students have played in Burmese politics. The inscribed stone was erected in 1970 close to



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the two Sun-Moon pagodas in the compound of Shwedagon Pagoda. The names of the 11 RangoonUniversity student leaders who led the first students’ strike against British rule are engraved on the

stone: Ba Khin, Po Kun, Ba Oo, Aung Din, Tun Win, Pe Thein, Ba Shin (Sandoway), Ba Shin

(Tavoy), K Nyi Peik, Hla Tin, and Maung Aye.8 December (2010), death in custody at Moulmein prison, Ashin Nameinda (a) U Myo Min, 50-year-old

monk serving his twelfth year of a 20-year sentence for distributing leaflets to encourage protests inSeptember 1999. He is the 146th

political prisoner died in prison since 1988. He had been sufferingmouth ulcers and thus was unable to eat, but according to the Thailand-based Assistance Associationfor Political Prisoners – Burma (AAPP), was not given adequate treatment. Health condition:Diabetes and scabies. Despite the reverence with which Burma holds its monastic community,monks currently account for 26 of Burma’s 2,202 political prisoners. One monk, U Nandawuntha,is serving a 71-year sentence, while nearly two dozen of those detained are serving sentences of 20years or more. Conditions inside Burma’s 44 prisons are notoriously poor, and inmates are regularly

required to bribe prison doctors in order to receive treatment. Torture is widespread, particularly forpolitical prisoners. Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN’s special rapporteur for Burma, followed the news

of Ashin Nameinda’s death and the release last month of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi with

calls for the junta to release the remaining 2,200-plus political prisoners in Burma.10 December (1945), DOB, U Aye Tha Aung, native of Myebon, Arakan, ex-army Sergeant Major, political prisoner 1975-77 Insein prison, 2000-02, MP 1900, Arakan League for Democracy, UNLD,General Secretary of Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP).

10 December (1948), World Human Rights Day (a) International Human Rights Day. The Day marks theanniversary of the Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Overthe years, a whole network of human rights instruments and mechanisms has been developed toensure the primacy of human rights and to confront human rights violations wherever they occur.

11 December (1949), Anti-Feudal Pa-O Resistance Day.11 December (1987), Least Developed Country. The Burmese economy was in the 190’s second in Asia

only to Japan in wealth and prosperity. As some critics labeled it, “Military Mismanagement,” the

junta had run the country into a state of poverty and depression to the point that Burma qualifiedunder the UN’s Least Developed Country Status. The UN recommened “Least Developed Country”

Status on 29 October 1987. The UN’s General Assembly approved LDC status for Burma on 11

December 1987.12 December (2003), death in custody at Insein prison, Rangoon General Hospital, Saw Sar Do Saw, school

teacher, Karen National Union, Lepadan, Irrawaddy.13 December, Karen New Year (according to lunar calendar 2752).13 December (1929), DOB, Sayamagyi Kyi Aye, medical doctor, renowned writer and poet. She lives in

New York, USA, with her family since 1972. Her advice: Time is precious; thus, read, learn and behumble. Don’t be afraid of learning as a student. 13 December 2010.

14 December (BC 94), Shan New Year (according to lunar calendar Nataw Waxing Day 1 of the year2107).

14 December (1944), Writers’ Day (sarsodaw nei, according to lunar calendar Nataw Waxing Day 1). TheBurma Writers Union was established before World War II and was allowed to continue to operatethrough the Japanese occupation. In 1944 the group inaugurated a festival in honor of the literati

(sarsodaw). The day is dedicated to Pon Nya, a famous 19th century poet and playwright. Todaywriters, reporters, journalists and poets are firmly maintaining the excellent tradition of this specialday and seizing the opportunity to speak freely about our democratic rights and against the fascistmilitary regime in uniform or under a civilian guise.

15 December, Kayan Martyrs’ Day.



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15 December (1975), Arakan State Day. Arakan had status as a division in Burma from 1948, when thecountry gained its independence, to 1974, when a new constitution was approved by General NeWin’s Burma Socialist Program Party. Arakan became a state in 1974 in accordance with the newconstitution. Arakan was a sovereign country that existed for 5,000 years before the Burmese kinginvaded in 1784. When Burma gained independence, Arakan became a part of the Union of Burma.

The Arakanese nationalism is based on the principles of federalism, political equality and the right toself-determination of all different ethnic nationalities in Burma.15 December (2009), death of Ei Kyar Kwe (a) Danubyu Kyaw Tun (1937-2009), writer, poet, satirist in

political, social and current affairs, chief editor of Thauk Kyar , native of Danubyu, Irrawaddy,founder and chairman of the Danubyu Poets’ Club.

16 December (1972), DOB, Ma Su Su Nway, native of Htan Manaing village, Kawhmu Township,Rangoon, villager, labor and rights activist, first Burmese citizen to take government officials tocourt for making people labor without compensation, political prisoner 2005-06 Insein prison forfighting against forced labour practices, military detention May-June 2007 for participating in apeaceful prayer campaign for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and 12 ½ minus 4-yearimprisonment (2008) Insein / Kale/ Khamti prisons for trying to paste up a leaflet near a Rangoon

hotel where a visiting U.N. human rights investigator had been staying, NLD Youth, Htan ManaingVillage, Kawmu Township, Rangoon, John Humphrey Freedom Award (2006, Canada), HomoHomini Award (2008, Czech), Honorable Citizenship (2008, Italy). Health condition: Congenitalheart condition, high blood pressure, malaria and gout. Pursuit of Happiness: The main thing is, onlywhen Aunty Suu is free, I will be happy, 6 June 2006. Liberty: As long as we do not get democracy,we will have to return to prison. We are fighting for our rights, 7 June 2006.

16 December (2005), death in custody at Pegu prison, Ko Aung Zaw Latt, student.17 December (2006), Founding Day of the Justice Restorers, a group of 30 Burmese law students.18 December (1961), DOB, Ko Ko Gyi, AGTI (PE) 1983, mastermind strategist, political prisoner 1989,

1991-2005 Insein / Thayet prisons, 2006-2007 and 65 ½ -year imprisonment (2008, arrested 22August 2007) Insein / Maubin / Kengtung / Mong Hsat prisons, graduate student in InternationalRelations at the University of Rangoon in 8-8-88 uprising, Saffron Revolution 2007, deputychairman and chief strategist of the Ba Ka Tha / All Burma Federation of Students Union, 88Generation Students, Honorable Citizenship (2008, Italy), Thingangyun Rangoon. Father: ThaungTun; brother: Aung Tun. Health condition: Hepatitis B, gall stones, and weak digestive system.Students’ union must be independent. Political problem is solved by political mean through face to

face dialogue, 1988. We paid the price with our families, our youth and our society. But we aresatisfied with that sacrifice, March 2005.

18 December (1990), Founding Day of National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

(NCGUB). Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister since 1990, cousin of Aung San Suu Kyi, established itselfin Manerplaw near the Thai border. The NCGUB stated its goals: (1) to eliminate the militarizationof the country, (2) to achieve democratic rights and human rights, and (3) to establish a genuinefederal union where the rights of minority groups, including rights of self-determination, are fullyguaranteed.

19 December (1990), death in custody at Myingyan prison, U Chit Htaung, NLD Phasawng, Kayah State.19 December (2008), Maung San, NLD Youth, political prisoner 2-year imprisonment (2007) Pegu prison,

committed suicide in protest of the deprivation of medical care and tortures he suffered in the handof prison authorities. His family came to request the permission for treatments recently but it wasturned down and they confiscated all the food and medicine parcels for him. The authorities alsorefused to return his remains home and buried him in Pegu.

20 December (1920), DOB, U Kyi Maung (20 December 1920 – 19 August 2004), a veteran jailbird,political prisoner (1

stand 2

nd: 7 years, 3

rd: 1988 and 4

th:1990-1995), All Burma Students Union



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Burmese Spring: Your Vote, Your Future.

New Year’s Resolution, 1 January 2012

Burma CompatriotsCitizens for Peace, Liberty, Justice, Equality, Stability, and ProsperityRevolutionaries against censorship, lawlessness, slave labor, rape, torture, corruption, and crony capitalismContact Info: [email protected]

Note:In honor of the strong will of the Burmese people, we would like to use the conventional English only in allof our documentations regarding Democracy for Burma.

Primary Sources:30 Comrades, 88 Generation Students, Aahara Sazaung, Agence France Presse, Ah Yae Taw Pon,Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma, All Burma Federation of Students’ Union, All Burma Students’

Democratic Front, All Burma Young Monks Union, Amnesty International, Asian Legal Resource Centre,Assistance Association of Political Prisoners-Burma, Associated Press, Aung Linn Htut, Aung Myo Thein,Aung Way, Aung Zaw, Bangkok Post, Bertil Lintner, Bhamo Tin Aung (1920-1978), Bo Bo Kyaw Nyein,British Broadcasting Corporation, Burma Bulletin, Burma Campaigns, Burma Democratic Concern, BurmaDigest, Burma for Democracy, Burma Lawyers’ Council, BurmaNet News, Burma Related News,

Burmatoday.net, Cable News Network, Central Intelligence Agency, Chin Human Rights Organization,Chinlandguardian.com, Christian Science Monitor, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Christopher Gunness, Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in Burma, Committee Representing of People Parliament,Dictator Watch, Dagon Taryar, Democracyformilitarymight.blogspot.com, Democratic Voice of Burma,Demowaiyan.com, Facebook, Freeburma.info, Freedom News Group, George Orwell (1903 – 1950), HenrySoe Win, Hla Kyaing, Htun Aung Gyaw, Htun Myat Oo, Human Rights Watch, Independent Mon NewsAgency, International Labour Organization, Irrawaddy, Jane’s Defence Weekly, Dr Josef Silverstein,Kachin Independence Organization, Kachin News Group, Kaladan News, Prof Kanbawza Win,Kantarawaddy Times, Kaowao News, Karen Human Rights Group, Karen National Union, Khin MaungSoe, Khin Yi, Kin Oung, Kyaw Than, Larry Jagan, Law Yone, Ludu Daw Ahmar (1915-2008), Ludu U Hla(1910-1982), Ludu Sein Win, Luminary Magazine, Maha Swe, Maung Chit, Maung Maung Hla Kyaing,Maung Yit, Mizzima, Moe Ma Ka, Mya Han, Prof Mya Maung (1933 – 1998), Myo Thein, ND-Burma,Narinjara News, Nation Daily Newspaper, National League for Democracy, Nay Myo Wai, Network for

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