Burmese ex-political detainee and democracy activist ends European Parliament internship

(July 1, 2006/ Brussels) Mr. Naing Ko Ko of the National Council of the Union of Burma recently finished his month-long internship with the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium and Strasbourg, France.

A graduate of Rangsit University in Bangkok, Thailand, Naing Ko Ko was born in 1971 at Mon State, southern part of Burma.

As a high school student in the late 80’s, he began participating in democracy and human rights movements. He took part in the Phone Maw Affair; named after a slain student activist. He worked as a leading member of All Burma Federation of Student Unions-ABFSU and a youth organizer for Federation of Trade Unions -Burma inside Burma

In December, 1992, he was arrested by the Military Intelligence Service-MIS and was tortured and interrogated by a military team led by Col. Maung Maung Than. He was later transferred to Yae- Kyi- I or the Central Military  Intelligence Service ‘ s interrogation camp in Mingaladon,  Rangoon Division where he was mentally and physically    tortured by Col Maung Maung Kyaw, son in law of Lt .Gen Tin Oo, former secretary of SPDC, the military junta.

In January, 1993, he was sent by the Special Court of Northern Insein province and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment with hard labor. He spent a year and a half at the notorious Insein Prison as a political prisoner.

“I was put in the military dog cell from February 13 to June 24, 1994 in Inseine, Rangoon prison,” Mr. Naing recalled. “Every prisoner was treated like a dog by the prison authorities.”

He was later transferred to Taung Oo prison and was released on Mar 26, 1998 after 5 years and 8 months.

After his release in 1988, he became a member of All Burma Federation of Student Unions and Federation of Trade Unions-Burma inside Burma.

In 1998, he went to Thai-Burma border to join the democratic movements outside the country. He has been assigned as International Campaign Secretary of Federation of Trade Union-Burma by FTUB.

He had travelled extensively, mainly to Europe, to attend seminars and testify against the military dictatorship in Burma.

“The internship to the European parliament is a valuable experience especially to the people of the Third World,” Mr. Naing commented. “The internship at ALDE contributes to an understanding of the role of liberty, democracy, individuality and responsibility in the global arena.”

Click here for a full copy of Mr. Naing’s report of his internship.

Categorised in: News Article

This post was written by CALD