The Burmese freedom fighter Aung San Suu Kyi’s personal assistant, Myo Thant (right), visited the Rafto Human Rights House on 14 June. Mr. Thant was sent into exile in 1999. He has since then kept residence in the United States, and today is in the forefront of Burmese liberation organization abroad, attempting to unite the dispersed oppositional groups around the World (18-JUN-07).


This article has been prepared by Øystein Skotheim and published on the site by Gunta Venge at the Rafto Human Rights House. Picture source: http://www.buffalostate.edu/i/profiles/thant.jpg

Myo Thant has acquired a unifying position in the international protest against the illegal military authorities in Burma. This military dictatorship has reigned since they prolonged their rule through an annulation of democratic elections held in 1990. As a result of these elections, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National Democratic League had won a decisive victory by the votes and hearts of the Burmese people (counting more than 50 million today). The leading generals, however, intended to retain their hold on power, and put Aung San Suu Kyi in permanent house arrest in the capital of Rangoon. There she has resided ever since, interfered only by  short-lived intervals. She has, without doubt, become a symbol of the Burmese struggle for freedom, justice, and basic human rights.

Myo Thant has not only come to Europe and Bergen to engage in a rearrangement and strengthening of the cooperation between the various Burmese oppositional groups, but also to honor the Rafto-environment for its efforts in relation to the Burmese population. The Rafto Human Rights House in Bergen was established in the year of 1997 and Aung San Suu Kyi (she was awarded the Rafto Prize in 1990) became the guardian of the House. Mr. Thant is ever grateful for the help he and his fellow people have received over the last two decades. However, he fears for the development in the country, and for the life of the 60-year old Suu Kyi. His impressions are steadfast; as the international community eases pressure on the military regime in Burma, its brutality increases proportionately. People are refused to oppose the authorities by any means, and arbitrary imprisonment as well as torture and killings, are committed by the regime as sheer daily routines. In the meanwhile, Aung San Suu Kyi remains helpless in assisting her people in their fight for justice.

In this desperate situation, Myo Thant has stepped forward and become an outward symbol of resistance against the sitting regime. In the interview to the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), an Oslo-based radio station successful in transmitting daily programs into Burma, Mr. Thant emphasises significance of this radio station. “The DVB gives hope,” he says. It has proved a crucial measure for the upkeep of hope and survival of democratic desires of the Burmese people, and has so far passed outside the range of sight of the brutal regime-enabling even Aung San Suu Kyi to receive messages from her peers.

Myo Thant claims that the only path to freedom goes through the unity of the international community at large. The United States have already imposed economic sanctions on the country, and several have followed. This has regrettably not improved the sad state of the nation, as powerful states like the Russian Federation, the People´s Republic of China, and India seem keen to keep these relations in store. Mr. Thant is convinced that these countries’ lack of demands towards the regime is a result of their own economic, military, and strategic interests. A glimpse at the world map confirms Burma’s strategic position; its eyes set on the horizon of the Indian Ocean, functioning as a buffer state between the People´s Republic of China and its emerging next-door neighbour, India. Despite the fact of an already Chinese military presence in Burma, the People´s Republic of China and India seem to have agreed to disagree on this matter of mutual interest. Furthermore, the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries have proclaimed their passive support of the regime, uttering that isolation of the country would only do more harm than good. “A disclamation of responsibility”, says Mr. Thant, who at the same time renders single countries’ economic isolation of Burma as null and void. ”The international community must stand united against these oppressors”, he stresses

To many, the challenges to overcome and end todays’ dictatorial rule in Burma, seem both numbersome and insurmountable. The situation may appear much the same to Mr. Thant. However, he is inclined to believe otherwise. To believe in a future for Burma and its people; to believe in a climax of opposition which will end the military dictatorship, and free Aung San Suu Kyi. In other words, he is determined to turn apparent impossibility, into viable reality.