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By FRONTIER
On July 25, junta-controlled media introduced that 4 pro-democracy activists had been executed, Myanmar’s first judicial executions in many years. The victims included 41-year-old Ko Phyo Zayar Thaw, a hip-hop pioneer turned parliamentarian for the Nationwide League for Democracy. The executions surprised the nation, plunging it right into a state of rage and mourning. On the day the information broke, Frontier Myanmar spoke to Phyo Zayar Thaw’s spouse Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung about his loss of life, his life and what this implies for the revolution.
Ko Phyo Zayar Thaw was a well-known rapper who grew to become a politician. Then after the coup he grew to become an activist and fought the military till he was sentenced to loss of life. How do you are feeling about his life story?
He was a courageous chief. He walked the trail he believed. He did what he believes. That is the trail he selected. That method is the best method. He was a courageous younger chief. That’s why I’m pleased with what he did till the top.
Ko Phyo Zayar Thaw served in parliament from 2012-2021. Why didn’t he search re-election within the 2020 election?
He needed to take a break from his parliamentary job as a result of he needed to do issues for his life. He aimed to re-enter the music trade. So, Ko Zayar Thaw didn’t compete, and the social gathering changed him. They allowed him to relaxation. In his life, he needed to stability music and politics. If the coup had not occurred, he would have gone again to his musical profession.
After the coup, how did Ko Phyo Zayar Thaw reply?
We had been collectively because the navy coup till his arrest in November of final 12 months. The navy coup was an injustice. Ko Zayar Thaw and I additionally protested peacefully. We participated within the anti-military coup motion in Yangon. The general public protested peacefully. They had been brutally shot down by the terrorist military. After we may now not protest peacefully, we selected to defend ourselves inside our proper to self-defense.
Did the best to self-defense embody conducting guerrilla assaults in Yangon?
I don’t wish to speak about that but. The entire individuals who participated within the anti-military motion have the best to defend themselves, not simply us. The entire nation does. The general public understands what we needed to do.
You had been with Ko Phyo Zayar Thaw on November 18 when he was arrested in Yangon. Are you able to please inform us the way it occurred?
Round Might final 12 months, the navy issued an arrest warrant for Ko Zayar Thaw. On November 18th, navy troops entered and arrested us on the Yadana Rose home the place we stay. A big military got here into the housing space. I went downstairs to seek out out what was happening. After I went down, navy troops checked all of the rooms in our constructing. After which they arrested Ko Zayar Thaw violently like he was a chook or hen.
After he was arrested, did he have the best to defend himself in courtroom?
We didn’t have any contact with him. His household didn’t have contact since he was arrested. No-one was allowed to contact or see him till July 18. Our attorneys additionally couldn’t get in contact. In Might, Ko Zayar Thaw was sentenced to loss of life by navy courtroom. After that, the information unfold that he would truly be executed. Relating to the fees introduced in opposition to him by the navy, he by no means had the chance to defend himself with attorneys in courtroom. We don’t understand how the instances had been investigated. Ko Zayar Thaw’s mom usually went to Insein Jail to ask the place he was and what occurred, however jail officers stated he was not in jail. Final Friday [July 22], they contacted Ko Zayar Thaw’s mom to return and see him.
When the relations went to see him on Friday, did jail authorities say it was a closing goodbye earlier than his execution?
They didn’t say something. By no means. They stated to his mom, you’ve gotten an opportunity to fulfill him, come and see him. So that they went. Ko Zayar Thaw was slightly skinny. Ko Jimmy’s family members additionally got here that day. After which they ready to ship parcels and letters to Ko Zayar Thaw right this moment [July 25] in accordance with jail procedures. From our aspect, we did every thing in keeping with the foundations and procedures. Authorities didn’t say something in regards to the execution.
So how did you hear that the loss of life sentence has been carried out this morning?
Simply right this moment, his mom went to go to the jail. I additionally heard the message that they’d been killed. The jail authorities stated it was because it was reported within the navy’s newspaper. We stated, in case you killed him, please return the physique. However they won’t return the physique. They have to be clear about how they killed him. Please inform us if he was killed by troopers or not? How did they decide the case?
That’s what we wish to know now. His mom requested to obtain the physique. The jail authorities stated they don’t have the best to offer it. They didn’t give the physique; they didn’t present the proof. Insein Jail refused to do as his household requested. In accordance with the information we heard, there have been many navy automobiles in entrance of the jail final night time. The entire metropolis was reduce off from electrical energy. So we expect, what occurred final night time? His mom went and requested for info. However they responded that it was the identical as within the newspaper. What meaning is that they’ve been killed. I’m very upset and unhappy.
How did you are feeling whenever you heard in regards to the execution?
I’m very unhappy and in ache. I don’t even wish to really feel higher. I’m very damage. The officer stated merely that he’s not right here anymore. That’s homicide. They’re committing open homicide. The navy has been killing folks in Myanmar because the navy coup. However they at all times denied these crimes. Now, they killed publicly. They present now that they kill folks, and so they don’t care who. In the event that they wish to kill, they will kill. They don’t care about our human rights. This incident is the very worst. In accordance with the jail handbook, if a loss of life sentence is imposed, the physique should be returned. He should be buried within the municipal cemetery. Now, they do nothing. They did no matter they needed to do. This concern has grow to be the worst human rights violation. Relating to this concern, I need the worldwide neighborhood – ASEAN and the entire world – to place stress on the navy. It’s not simply the folks within the nation. All Burmese folks all around the world have been subjected to human rights violations. That is the motion of a terrorist military.
Myanmar has not used the loss of life penalty for many years. Now the junta has introduced it again to make use of in opposition to politicians and activists. What do you consider this?
So long as the navy guidelines, these loss of life sentences will occur once more. Those that have been killed are our revered leaders. Ko Hla Myo Aung and Ko Aung Thura Zaw, who had been sentenced to loss of life with Ko Zayar Thaw and Ko Jimmy, are heroes who got here from the folks. That is completely probably the most inhumane act. In the event that they impose a loss of life sentence on our folks, we wish to see the judgment in entrance of our eyes. They will’t do it silently like that. These are the leaders who had been making an attempt to defend democracy and human rights. The world is accountable for the navy’s killing of our younger leaders.
Now, what are you doing about Phyo Zayar Thaw being sentenced to loss of life?
Since this Spring Revolution, each of us have labored, each mentally and bodily. Our shut comrades did as a lot as they may for the downfall of the navy dictatorship in our nation. Now he isn’t right here. However I’ll proceed the revolution. The military is brutal. They need to pay for his or her brutal act. They should pay for the reality.
What did Ko Zayar Thaw count on from the Spring Revolution?
We will see from his speech on social media. We should win this revolution. He didn’t even say that we needed to win. He stated we already gained. As a result of if we go in with the mindset of getting gained, we will probably be profitable. That is what he stated when he was allowed to talk throughout a protest.
What’s going to occur if the Spring Revolution doesn’t succeed?
I don’t wish to hear any query about what if the Spring Revolution fails. We are going to succeed. As a result of we are able to’t return. All of us have given up our regular lives to struggle the navy. Lives usually are not given up without spending a dime. This revolution will succeed, but when the persons are not united it is going to take time.
For the reason that starting of this Spring Revolution, the worldwide neighborhood has been calling for negotiations between the navy and resistance teams. After these executions, is there any chance of engagement?
We’re not engaged with anybody. We won’t negotiate with the navy. This terrorist military can not live on in our nation. We can not stay with this terrorist military. If people who find themselves combating for democracy are condemned like this, then the fireplace will burn. I consider we are going to attain our targets quicker due to this motion.
Is there the rest you wish to add?
The navy has reached the underside of doing what it shouldn’t do. In the event that they proceed to rule the nation, there will probably be many such executions sooner or later. We don’t settle for these judgements. The entire nation doesn’t settle for this judgment. We needed to see justice finished. On this regard, I’ll revolt in opposition to the military till the top.
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