Many attend Win Tin's commemoration

Attendees include his former political colleagues, leaders of the political parties, activists, former political prisoners, civic organisations, writers, actors and actresses, and his admirers. 

National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said, “We should value those who worth it, especially those who led us as an idol. It is good for our country. I don’t know how much percentage of the compatriots has such mindset. I was under house arrest. Likewise, U Tin Oo was in prison. However, sacrifices we made were a piece of cake comparing to that of his.”

Win Tin was one of Myanmar’s longest-serving political prisoners and most stalwart pro-democracy activists.

As a co-founder of the NLD, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for producing anti-government propaganda and was released in 2008. Prior to his imprisonment, he served as editor-in-chief of the Kyemon and Hanthawaddy newspapers.

He passed away at Yangon General Hospital on Monday at the age of 85 after suffering from multi-organ failure. His funeral last year drew upto 100,000 people. 

US Ambassador to Myanmar Derek J Mitchell said last year, “As newspaper editor, author, poet, and for nearly two decades, political prisoner, U Win Tin was a man of rare integrity and courage, a man who dedicated his life to democratic principles, particularly the principle of press freedom, even under enormous hardship.” 

The US Embassy also released a statement to mark the one-year anniversary of his departure.

“He was a staunch proponent of government and civil society working together to help political prisoners overcome their suffered hardships to become valued actors in shaping the country’s future. We remain inspired by his enduring commitment to the plight of political prisoners, righting the wrongs of injustice, and promoting the principle of freedom of expression at his own personal cost. U Win Tin is missed but his legacy lives on.”

 On April 21, the family of Win Tin offered alms to the monks in the morning at Mahazi Sarsana Villa. 

Deputy NLD Leader Tin Oo said, during the event, “Previously, I rarely met with political prisoners. He (Hantharwady Win Tin) knew many of them in and out. I used to follow him while he visited the political prisoners. He even sacrificed his health for his political conviction.”