Jailed activist wins expat award

She joined others who voluntarily contribute to humanitarian causes for the good of Myanmar society. The award is given annually by Myanmar people living abroad. Last year, the winner was Than Myint Aung, a writer whose fiction touches on social issues.

The award from Myanmar’s expat community is now in its sixth year and was announced at the Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, New York. 

Phyo Phyo Aung was denied entry to her exams due to her participation in the Saffron Revolution in 2007, she collected bodies in the wake of Cyclone Nargis in 2008 for which she given four years in prison and she is now in prison again after the crackdown on students at Letpadan in March.

Her father, Nay Win, said: “I am extremely happy that my daughter received this award given to social and humanitarian volunteers. I am very thankful too. Phyo Phyo Aung helped those in trouble after Nargis as well as with the democratic educational reform movement. This award is not only appreciation just for her but towards all those volunteers involved who put the need of others at the forefront. It honours all of them”.

He added that it was disgraceful that the government is beating and imprisoning the students while the international community is praising them. 

“The protest to ask for educational reform was brutally quashed instead of peacefully resolved. There are also many other people in trouble all over Myanmar. They need a substantial amount of help. That is why I am very thankful for those who appreciate and give out awards to those who help out society.”

On Sunday afternoon, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi invited students from across the country to her Yangon home to discuss reforms to the controversial National Education Law.

Many of the invitees protested against the law, including representatives of ABFSU.

“I know two students from Ayeyawady who have been invited along with 17 students from ABFSU,” said Aung Khant Zaw from the Ayeyarwady protest march.