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The regime’s handout of Ko Jimmy (left) and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw. / AFP
By The Irrawaddy 17 June 2022
Thousands and thousands of individuals from Myanmar, together with expats, are worrying for the lives of two main pro-democracy activists, Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, because the junta insists it should hold them, defying world condemnations and appeals.
For the reason that junta introduced it could execute Ko Jimmy, 53, a number one activist because the 1988 common rebellion, and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, 41, a former Nationwide League for Democracy (NLD) MP, their households, colleagues, resistance fighters, the general public and worldwide teams have feared for his or her lives.
Many individuals expressed their sorrow and fury after they heard of the deliberate executions, seeing the pair as exemplary freedom fighters in opposition to navy rule.
Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, who’re each former political prisoners, have sacrificed a lot for the reason for democracy over earlier a long time.
Ko Jimmy has spent almost half his life in jail and was first sentenced to twenty years in jail for his involvement within the scholar demonstrations and underground motion throughout the 1988 common rebellion. He was sentenced to 5 years for his function within the Saffron Revolution in 2007.
Ko Jimmy served 21 years within the Insein and Tharawaddy prisons from 1988 to 2005 and 2007 to 2012.
His spouse Ma Nilar Thein was one other 88 Technology Pupil chief and the couple have a 15-year-old daughter. Ma Nilar Thein is in hiding for her anti-junta activism.
After his launch in 2012, Ko Jimmy labored with philanthropic initiatives, capacity-building schemes for younger individuals and academic packages together with 88 Technology comrades, like Ko Min Ko Naing.
Ko Jimmy is understood by his buddies as a sort man who loves his household and is keen on artwork, music and writing. Nonetheless, with regards to the reason for democracy, he held particular braveness to battle with younger resistance fighters in opposition to a regime which was killing and terrorizing the inhabitants.
Former fellow inmate and pal Ko Kyaw Htwe, an NLD lawmaker, instructed The Irrawaddy: “He enjoys literature and music however he additionally set an instance for all generations as a brave revolutionary who received’t settle for injustice.”
Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, a hip-hop star turned politician, has additionally grow to be a logo of ongoing resistance in opposition to navy oppression.
He served as an MP from 2012 to 2020 after making his title in Acid, a pioneering hip-hop band, after 2000. His first imprisonment got here in 2008 after he based the Technology Wave underground youth group, recognized for utilizing guerrilla techniques to distribute materials opposing the then junta.
Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw described his six years’ imprisonment as a interval of soul-searching which turned him from an activist who rebelled in opposition to injustice to a politician who wished to make everlasting adjustments.
He joined the NLD on his launch in 2011 and beat navy proxy Union Solidarity and Improvement Social gathering candidates former lieutenant normal Wai Lwin, an ex-defense minister, in a 2012 by-election and one other former normal, Myat Hein, within the 2015 normal election.
He developed a popularity as a hard-working and passionate legislator who all the time educated himself deeply about points. The previous rapper didn’t contest the 2020 election as he wished to return to music. He campaigned forward of the 2020 November election in Naypyitaw however then returned to music.
However he instantly joined the anti-regime protests after the February 2021 coup.
“We take to the streets as a result of we must always. If we’re all united, the regime will likely be gone quickly. That’s what I imagine and our trigger should prevail,” he mentioned at a Yangon protest in early March.
Following the junta crackdowns, Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw went into hiding and joined the armed resistance in Yangon.
The regime claimed he was the civilian Nationwide Unity Authorities’s consultant for Yangon and the chief of a particular activity pressure and a individuals’s protection pressure combating navy rule.
“He all the time does what he thinks is true. Nothing can cease him from his pro-democracy activism. Individuals like him and Ko Jimmy aren’t afraid of cruelty,” mentioned his spouse, Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung.
Two different males had been additionally placed on the execution checklist collectively for killing a lady who was an alleged navy informant.
The Irrawaddy staff hopes all 4 opponents of navy rule are spared from the junta’s thirst for blood and luxuriate in freedom as soon as once more.
We repeat the decision that’s being heard all over the world: don’t kill them.
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