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Thin Thin Aye (Burmese: သင်းသင်းအေး, pronounced [θɪ́ɰ̃ θɪ́ɰ̃ ʔé]; 1970 – 13 August 2018), better known as Mie Mie (မီးမီး [mí mí]), was a Burmese democracy activist who organized and led numerous anti-government protests. She was imprisoned three times between 1988 and 2012, and Amnesty International considered her to be a prisoner of conscience.[1]
Mie Mie | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thin Thin Aye 1970 |
| Died | 13 August 2018 (aged 47–48) Kyaunggon, Myanmar |
| Nationality | Burmese |
| Alma mater | Dagon University |
| Occupation | democracy activist |
| Organization | 88 Generation Students Group |
| Political party | National League for Democracy |
| Spouse | Hla Moe |
Aye died in a car accident on 13 August 2018, near Kyaunggon, at the age of 47.[2][3][4]
In the summer of 1988, a series of protests escalated in Yangon and other cities demanding the resignation of General Ne Win, Burma's military ruler.[5] These protests took their name from the date of the largest march, 8-8-88.[5] Aye, a 10th-grade high school student at the time, joined the uprising and became active in the All Burma Federation of Student Unions.[6][7] On 7 March 1989, she was arrested for the first time for distributing fliers commemorating the one-year anniversary of the death of Phone Maw, whose killing by security forces helped prompt the previous year's uprising. She was detained for three months, then released.[7] In 1990, she traveled to campaign on behalf of the National League for Democracy (NLD).[6]
In 1996, Aye was studying at Dagon University in Yangon when she took part in a protest and was subsequently arrested.[7] She was then imprisoned for seven years in Tharyarwaddy Prison.[7]
Following her 2003 release, she became involved with the pro-democracy 88 Generation Students Group. When rising fuel and commodity prices led to widespread unrest in Yangon in August 2007, the 8888 Generation Students Group played a major role in organizing protests.[8] 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.[9] The New York Times described Aye as "prominent in photographs and videos of the first small demonstrations", noting that she appeared in the shots "with her fist raised".[10]
Following a government crackdown on protestors, members of the 88 Generation Students Group were swiftly arrested.[8] On 22 August, the day after several 88 Generation leaders had been arrested, Aye led a protest march and then went into hiding.[7] She was arrested herself on 13 October 2007 at a rubber plantation where she was hiding with fellow leaders Aung Thu, Htay Kywe, Zaw Htet Ko Ko and Hein Htet.[7]
Leading up to her trial, Aye was detained with other activists at Insein Prison.[7] On 11 November 2008, she and other 88 Generation members were convicted of four counts of "illegally using electronic media" and one count of "forming an illegal organization", for a total sentence of 65 years in prison apiece.[11][12] Aye reportedly shouted in response to the judge, "We will never be frightened!"[13]
Amnesty International named her a prisoner of conscience and called on multiple occasions for her release.[1][14] Human Rights Watch called for the 2007 protesters to be exonerated and freed,[15] as did Front Line.[16]
Aye's health was said to be deteriorating as a result of her imprisonment.[14] In 2008, an NLD spokesperson alleged that prison authorities were refusing her proper treatment for her heart condition.[17] Her husband stated that she also suffers from spondylosis and arthritis.[18]
Aye was released on 13 January 2012 as part of a mass presidential pardon of political prisoners.[19]
Aye married Hla Moe in 1990 and has three children with him.[18] Hla Moe works in a car repair shop and in 2009 told Irrawaddy magazine that he was allowed one twenty-minute prison visit with his wife per month.[18]
Aye died in a car accident on 13 August 2018, near Kyaunggon, at the age of 47.[2][3][4]
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