Politics is a hot topic these days. We all seem to have something to say, but how often do you worry about jeopardizing your freedom when you voice your opinion? One woman did and she was sentenced to life in prison it. A teacher, mother, wife and political activist, Ma Kinh Kinh Leh was unjustly imprisoned by Myanmar’s government seven years ago without much hope for release.
Myanmar, previously called Burma, has been under military control since 1988, when the Burmese Socialist Program Party (BSPP) overtook the government. Killing nearly 3,000 people in the process. Since then, the BSPP changed Burma’s name to Myanmar and has imposed an oppressive regime, condemning anyone who opposes them. According to Amnesty International reports, Myanmar authorities commit almost every human rights violation against their people. For example, the military forces many citizens into slavery, perpetrates violence against women and stifles any freedom of expression. They also deny outside aid for HIV/AIDS victims, use torture, commit genocide and continue to kidnap and force children into the military. Because of the government’s harsh treatment of its people, refugees have inundated the surrounding countries, causing them to resent the military rule.
In the case of Ma Kinh Kinh Leh, she and her husband, Kyaw Wunna along with many other activists, were involved in the planning of a peaceful demonstration on July 19, 1999, in Bago. However, authorities discovered their plan and sought to arrest Kyaw Wunna and others. When the security agents arrived at their home, they did not find Kyaw Wunna, but they promptly arrested Ma Kinh Kinh Leh and her 3-year-old daughter. For five days, her daughter was the youngest political prisoner in the world. Currently, Ma Kinh Kinh Leh’s husband is living abroad in exile, and their 10-year-old daughter is staying with family members. She was not allowed to undergo any sort of fair trial, and on Dec. 3, 1999, she was sentenced to life in prison-a harsh ruling even by the government’s standards. Currently, she is believed to be confined in an undisclosed prison, possibly suffering from lung problems, rheumatoid arthritis and dysentery.
Unfortunately, this is just one case. The government has also justified imprisoning hundreds of activists including students, politicians, doctors, lawyers, housewives, farmers and other political activists, claiming that they were seeking to cause “unrest.”
Amnesty International is bringing attention to this case worldwide attention. They are encouraging the government to release Ma Kinh Kinh Leh, as well as provide her with proper medical care and assurance that she is not ill-treated. Also, Amnesty needs worldwide support to urge the government to respect the people’s freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and other human rights.
SLU’s Amnesty chapter has many ways that you can help: Dec. 5-7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. we will have tables set up in the Busch Student Center where you can pick up postcards to send to the government. Also, letter-writing is encouraged and information will be provided at the table to learn how to send letters to Myanmar’s government. Consider stopping by and helping our effort to free Ma Kinh Kinh Leh. Our voice maybe the only voice she has left.
Erin McGinley is a Sophomore in the Doisy College of Health Sciences.
