Win Tin, Myanmar’s champion of democracy, breathes last in Yangon
21 April 2014 11:49 PM GMT
YANGON: Win Tin, one of the founders of Myanmar’s pro-democracy opposition and the nation’s longest-serving political prisoner, died today at the age of 84 after battling for decades to bring freedom to a nation that suffered under military rule.
The former journalist and veteran campaigner, whose almost two decades in jail failed to dull his commitment to the democratic cause, had suffered worsening ill health in recent weeks.
He died in hospital in Yangon early today, National League for Democracy party spokesman Nyan Win said A funeral service will be held on Wednesday.
A towering figure within the democracy movement, Win Tin formed the NLD with Aung San Suu Kyi in 1988 in the wake of a student-led pro-democracy uprising. He was imprisoned the following year for his political activities.
He reiterated his support for party leader Suu Kyi in the days before he died, according to his long-time assistant Yar Zar.
‘We are so sad to have lost him — it is like the world has been lost,’ he said.
‘But we have many things to do. We will continue as he asked and will follow his way to democracy,’ Yar Zar added.
Myanmar began its emergence from nearly half a century of military rule in 2011, under a quasi-civilian government that has won international plaudits for reforms including the release of hundreds of political prisoners.
Suu Kyi, who was freed from years of house arrest in 2010, has also been welcomed into parliament at the helm of her party and has indicated her wish to become president after 2015 elections. But the army retains a tight grip on the fledgling parliament, casting doubt over Suu Kyi’s chances for the top job, and campaigners stress there is still a long way to go before the country can enjoy full democracy. agencies
The former journalist and veteran campaigner, whose almost two decades in jail failed to dull his commitment to the democratic cause, had suffered worsening ill health in recent weeks.
He died in hospital in Yangon early today, National League for Democracy party spokesman Nyan Win said A funeral service will be held on Wednesday.
A towering figure within the democracy movement, Win Tin formed the NLD with Aung San Suu Kyi in 1988 in the wake of a student-led pro-democracy uprising. He was imprisoned the following year for his political activities.
He reiterated his support for party leader Suu Kyi in the days before he died, according to his long-time assistant Yar Zar.
‘We are so sad to have lost him — it is like the world has been lost,’ he said.
‘But we have many things to do. We will continue as he asked and will follow his way to democracy,’ Yar Zar added.
Myanmar began its emergence from nearly half a century of military rule in 2011, under a quasi-civilian government that has won international plaudits for reforms including the release of hundreds of political prisoners.
Suu Kyi, who was freed from years of house arrest in 2010, has also been welcomed into parliament at the helm of her party and has indicated her wish to become president after 2015 elections. But the army retains a tight grip on the fledgling parliament, casting doubt over Suu Kyi’s chances for the top job, and campaigners stress there is still a long way to go before the country can enjoy full democracy. agencies
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