Who is the Burma Digest person of the year? (English)
Dec 23rd, 2007
This year will be remembered for the summer of the Saffron Revolution, or perhaps more the Saffron Protest, because there has been no ‘revolution’ in the sense of change in the political power structure of Burma. There has of course been a revolution in the willingness of a long persecuted and downtrodden people to stand up and demonstrate against iniquity and oppression.
The year began with the ‘open heart’ letter protest and built up to a summer of open protest and savage repression. Only when a tremendous number of monks and ordinary people had taken to the streets did the international media wake up and realise that here was a story to put on the front page. And only when so many (too many) monks and ordinary people had been beaten up, murdered on the streets and thrown in jail to be tortured did the UNSC make a feeble statement and send their powerless envoys - a statement that would have been a great deal more forceful and effective if the junta’s friends, China and Russia, had not vetoed anything that truly condemned the brutal, corrupt and depraved regime for what it is.
The people of this year are not just our named and loved pro-democracy activists; DASSK, Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Min Zeya, U Gambira, U Obhasa, U Khemeinda and U Zakada, Cin Sian Thang, and Tawng Kho Thang, Su Su Nway, Phyu Phyu Thin and Naw Ohn Hla, Zarganar and Par Par Lay, and many others; but those from the international community who tried to wrest the truth from the junta; Gambari, Pinheiro, Petrie from the UN; those in ASSEAN who dithered and compromised!, Arroyo who said what needed to be said; but we must of course remember that while the world’s attention may focus on individuals, the big change in Burma’s political scene this year is that the mass of common people have spoken with their presence on the streets of the cities and towns of Burma, and they have spoken with one voice - THE JUNTA MUST GO!
2007 has been a momentous year - not one in which change has occurred but in which the opportunities for change have arisen, a year in which the world is taking notice and starting to do something, a year in which the people of Burma have regained some of their voice and a new self-confidence in themselves. We salute those brave and noble activists in Burma who have risked the lives and livelihoods for the future of Burma, for freedom and democracy, for peace and dialogue, for a future free from oppression, for human rights for all.
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December 26th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Once again, i have to vote for DASSK as i did in May 1990.Eventhough she was locked up at home physically,her spirit is still be able to move around the world. eversince,her speech made me not only inspiration but also empower me to fight on the freedom.As all know,the result of the September movement is to engage dialogue between DASSK and Junta’s Leader Than Shwe which come from UN and international community.
December 26th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I’m going to vote DASSK, because she is the only extraordinary person among our Burmese people. She sacrifices herself to the people of Burma and her country as well, nobody can do like her I can assure 100% even her elder brother can not do anything like her. If I have more time I can express more than that, just because of final call, I wanted to be one of the participant in this section ……
I wanted to say something briefly about my experience, I always keep a photo of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi photo in my wallet, I got it from Bangkok, Thailand while I participated in the demonstration in front of Burmese embassy. One day the time when I’m working in a company in Singapore, one day my boss
insult me and talk some thing wrong according to a wrong information, suddenly I bang on the table forcefully,” he said don’t bang on my table I don’t like it”, “I said I must why did you talk to me without any prove and evidence like that” and he talk to me softly and say ” I’m sorry….and…bla….bla…bla. “…
After all I noticed that just because of I had a photo of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with me in my pocket so that I never fear of anybody attack to me without any acceptable reason.
That’s one of my experience about DASSK but a lot, a lot of
things I want to express about her but I don’t have time to mention all these things and may be all the Burmese people should know everything as I do, that’s.
December 26th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Ko Min Ko Naing!
December 27th, 2007 at 4:35 am
Dear sir
I voted Daw AUng San Su Kyi and Min KO Naing , activists for Burma .I have no colour , party and person so I voted for people who do for the democracy and human right for Burma , may have different kind of ability and quality but I appreciate for all activists.
Respectfully
Thi Ha
December 27th, 2007 at 8:30 am
All those un-named monks and people , some of whom die at that time and some at detention centers and all those still in detention, they should be person of the year.
December 27th, 2007 at 8:30 am
U Gambira who can organise Saffron Revolution successfully. We will never forget Saffron Revolution. It make history. Thanks.
December 27th, 2007 at 8:43 am
I would vote for DASSK since I consider this chance as a continuous battle between the oppressed people and the dictatorship regime and I see her as the leader in this battle— regardless of who else should be considered for the Burma Digest Person of the Year. Additionally, it is obvious that she again gained huge attentions from the international community especially during and after the Saffron Revolution, and from the ethnic groups in the country who gave her “their mandate” to hold a talk with the regime when Gambari’s assigned to forge a dialogue between the opposition led by DASSK and the regime.
December 27th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
The indomitable Min Ko Naing. The noble and inspiring warrior for the rights of the Burmese people. A man who refuses to give up. Again, by arresting him, the regime has not gained a prisoner, they have reinforced his status as a man of courage…a true hero.
December 27th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I will vote for Ko Ko Gyi for the person of the year 2007. He mentioned a lot of political awareness as involved in the political activities. I will vote Pinheiro for the second person in list.
December 27th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
U Gambi Ya
December 29th, 2007 at 1:50 am
i vote DASSk.Because no body can’t do like her, she is still fighting .She is a very powerfull woman, she can lead us.
January 13th, 2008 at 3:18 am
she is very nice.we should vote her to lead us. we have to try to get a good leader for our coury.
January 17th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
This is the right spelling - U Chin Sian Thang
January 17th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I vote for U Chin Sian Thang who is a president of Zomi National Congress, CRPP Member, UNA - Member, MP - Tiddim(2)