Zaw Htet Ko Ko
Encyclopedia
Zaw Htet Ko Ko is a Burmese political activist. He is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for his work with the pro-democracy 88 Generation Students Group
, and his detention has been criticized by human rights groups including Amnesty International
.
, one of the group's leaders. One analyst described the group as "not a political party, but rather a movement comprising a generation of students who were active during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising." The group called for an end to the rule of Burma's military leadership, the State Peace and Development Council
; the release of all alleged political prisoners; and a return to democracy. Their activities to this end included petition drives, prayer vigils, marches, fliers, and letter-writing campaigns.
Described by Amnesty International as an "Internet enthusiast", Zaw Thet Ko Ko helped the group communicate news of its protests to the outside world. He also served as the group's photographer at events such as its "White Sunday" campaign, in which activists wore white prisoner's clothing each Sunday to show solidarity with imprisoned activists. Fellow activist U Aung Myint recalled asking Zaw Htet Ko Ko if he feared imprisonment, to which Zaw Htet Ko Ko reportedly replied: "Yes, I've considered everything, about dangers. If I don't do what I'm doing, who will do it for the Burmese people?"
in August 2007, the 88 Generation Students Group played a major role in organizing protests. The largest of these rallies drew over one hundred thousand protesters, most notably a number of Buddhist monks, giving the uprising the popular nickname "The Saffron Revolution" for the color of their robes. Zaw Thet Ko Ko participated in several of these rallies, most notably a march on 23 August led by group members Mie Mie
and Nilar Thein
. Following the arrest of several group leaders, however, including Min Ko Naing
, he joined Htay Kywe and Mie Mie in hiding. On 13 October, the three were arrested at a rubber plantation along with fellow group members Aung Thu and Hein Htet.
. Seven days later, he was charged with an additional six years of imprisonment, for a total of eleven years. The sentence was protested by Front Line
and Amnesty International, the latter of which named him a prisoner of conscience
. Human Rights Watch
stated its belief that the imprisoned 88 Generation Student Group members were political prisoner
s and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
On 6 February 2009, he was transferred from Insein to Kyaukpyu Prison in Rakhine State
. According to an Irrawaddy
story on Zaw Htet Ko Ko's case, "transferring political prisoners to distant prisons is one of the tactics to further punish prisoners and increase the burden on their families and friends."
88 Generation Students Group
The 88 Generation Students Group is a Burmese pro-democracy movement known for their anti-government activism. Many of its members are currently imprisoned by the Burmese government on charges of "illegally using electronic media" and "forming an illegal organization"...
, and his detention has been criticized by human rights groups including Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
.
88 Generation Students Group involvement
Zaw Htet Ko Ko became involved in the 88 Generation Students Group shortly after its 2005 founding through his friend Htay KyweHtay Kywe
Htay Kywe is a currently-imprisoned Burmese pro-democracy activist considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. BBC News describes him as a key member of the 8888 Generation movement.-Background and role in 1988 protests:...
, one of the group's leaders. One analyst described the group as "not a political party, but rather a movement comprising a generation of students who were active during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising." The group called for an end to the rule of Burma's military leadership, the State Peace and Development Council
State Peace and Development Council
The State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
; the release of all alleged political prisoners; and a return to democracy. Their activities to this end included petition drives, prayer vigils, marches, fliers, and letter-writing campaigns.
Described by Amnesty International as an "Internet enthusiast", Zaw Thet Ko Ko helped the group communicate news of its protests to the outside world. He also served as the group's photographer at events such as its "White Sunday" campaign, in which activists wore white prisoner's clothing each Sunday to show solidarity with imprisoned activists. Fellow activist U Aung Myint recalled asking Zaw Htet Ko Ko if he feared imprisonment, to which Zaw Htet Ko Ko reportedly replied: "Yes, I've considered everything, about dangers. If I don't do what I'm doing, who will do it for the Burmese people?"
Involvement in "Saffron Revolution"
When rising fuel and commodity prices led to widespread unrest in Yangon2007 Burmese anti-government protests
The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma on 15 August 2007...
in August 2007, the 88 Generation Students Group played a major role in organizing protests. The largest of these rallies drew over one hundred thousand protesters, most notably a number of Buddhist monks, giving the uprising the popular nickname "The Saffron Revolution" for the color of their robes. Zaw Thet Ko Ko participated in several of these rallies, most notably a march on 23 August led by group members Mie Mie
Mie Mie
Thin Thin Aye , is a currently imprisoned Burmese democracy activist who played a leadership role in numerous anti-government protests. Amnesty International considers her to be a prisoner of conscience.-8888 uprising and 1996 arrest:...
and Nilar Thein
Nilar Thein
Nilar Thein is a Burmese democracy activist and political prisoner currently held at Thayet prison in Burma's Magway Region. Amnesty International considers her a prisoner of conscience.-8888 uprising and subsequent arrests:Nilar Thein is from Yangon, Burma...
. Following the arrest of several group leaders, however, including Min Ko Naing
Min Ko Naing
Paw Oo Tun is the President of Universities Student Union of Burma and a leading democracy activist and dissident. He has spent the majority of the last 22 years imprisoned by the state for his opposition activities.-Biography:...
, he joined Htay Kywe and Mie Mie in hiding. On 13 October, the three were arrested at a rubber plantation along with fellow group members Aung Thu and Hein Htet.
Trial and imprisonment
In the weeks following Zaw Htet Ko Ko's arrest, his father alleged that he believed Zaw Htet Ko Ko was being tortured in prison. While Zaw Thet Ko Ko escaped the 65-year sentences given to fellow members such as Min Ko Naing, Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, Nilar Thein, and others, on 21 November 2008, he was sentenced to five years of hard labor by a special court at Insein PrisonInsein Prison
Insein Prison is located in Yangon Division, near Yangon , the old capital of Myanmar. It is run by the military junta of Myanmar, the State Peace and Development Council, and used largely to repress political dissidents....
. Seven days later, he was charged with an additional six years of imprisonment, for a total of eleven years. The sentence was protested by Front Line
Front Line (NGO)
Front Line or The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders is an Irish-based human rights organisation founded in Dublin, Ireland in 2001 to protect human rights defenders at risk, i.e...
and Amnesty International, the latter of which named him a prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience is a term defined in Peter Benenson's 1961 article "The Forgotten Prisoners" often used by the human rights group Amnesty International. It can refer to anyone imprisoned because of their race, religion, or political views...
. Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
stated its belief that the imprisoned 88 Generation Student Group members were political prisoner
Political prisoner
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, a political prisoner is ‘someone who is in prison because they have opposed or criticized the government of their own country’....
s and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
On 6 February 2009, he was transferred from Insein to Kyaukpyu Prison in Rakhine State
Rakhine State
Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between...
. According to an Irrawaddy
The Irrawaddy
This article is about a newsmagazine. For other uses of the term, please see Irrawaddy.For the Second World War battle honour, see Battle of Pokoku and Irrawaddy River operations...
story on Zaw Htet Ko Ko's case, "transferring political prisoners to distant prisons is one of the tactics to further punish prisoners and increase the burden on their families and friends."