Last year I traveled to Thailand and met a wonderful friend, Yaw Bawm Mangshang. He was born in Burma, a country bordering Thailand, where he lived under the Burmese military dictatorship for most of his life. Although he never suffered direct torture, like Bo Kyi (see above Viewpoint) and many other political prisoners, he suffered the oppression from the military dictatorship in his daily life.
Yaw Bawm never experienced freedom of speech, freedom of movement or freedom to access reliable news sources while living in Burma. Fortunately, he worked hard in school and earned an opportunity to attend Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I met him a year ago in January. In addition to being an extremely dedicated student, he works two part time jobs, as well as tutoring other international students in English. He said that his determination stems from his commitment to his country and his hope of returning to help bring back democracy to his homeland.
Yaw Bawm's stories of living under the regime were tragic and heart-wrenching. I have lived a privileged life in a democratic country where I do not have to fear being imprisoned or tortured for voicing my opinions. Sadly, this is not the case for those suffering under the Burmese dictatorship. Yaw Bawm's friend and former classmate is now in Myitkyina prison in Burma as a political prisoner. He was arrested for carrying a magazine with information showing the junta's wrongdoings.
These stories anger me. No one should be imprisoned for voicing his or her opinions. No child should be forced to fight in a war against his or her friends and relatives. No young girl or woman should be raped by merciless soldiers. No person should be forced to act as a human mine detector. No village should be burned, no livestock should be shot, and no goods should be stolen from ethnic minority groups solely to fuel the military junta's quest for power.
These are the harsh realities of life in Burma. Fortunately, the international community is beginning to step in and listen to the calls for democracy from within Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has served as the figurehead for Burma's struggle for democracy since 1988. A Nobel Peace Prize winner, she is currently under house arrest in Burma for advocating democracy.
She has called for international pressure on the Burmese dictatorship, which has been recognized by UN resolutions and U.S. economic sanctions. However, the resolutions have been rejected by the country and the sanctions have not changed Burma's course of action. The Association for Southeast Asian Nations has also been stepping up pressure on Burma both to release Aung San Suu Kyi and to return the country to a democracy. Hopefully the combination of international and interregional pressure will help free Burma from the oppressive military regime.
Living in Thailand allowed me to see and experience different cultures and ways of life. I met people living in Thailand who belong to the same ethnic nationalities as people living in and suffering under the Burmese dictatorship. Everyone I met was very friendly and welcoming. They would offer their stories and share their food, and we would part as new friends.
I feel compelled by my heart and my friendship with Yaw Bawm, and as a concerned citizen of the world, to help expose the horrendous crimes the Burmese military dictatorship commits against humanity. In an effort to do so, I have been working with the U.S. Campaign for Burma to bring Bo Kyi - a Burmese refugee, student activist since 1988, and former political prisoner - to speak at Tufts University. He will share his personal experience of fleeing Burma and discuss his recent testimony before the U.S. Congress, as well as strategies for advocacy and influencing policy.
Although I did not travel to Burma last year, I did travel around Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. I was always met with smiles and generosity in each country. I look forward to returning to the region. During my next visit I hope to visit Yaw Bawm in the free Burma that he, I and the global community are hoping for and working towards.
Megan Curtis-Murphy is a senior majoring in political science.
