RSF Publishes Win Tin Biography

The Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) has published a new French-language biography of veteran journalist and prominent pro-democracy activist Win Tin.

The book, titled “Une vie de dissident,” was written by Radio France International correspondent Sophia Malibeaux and is based on a series of interviews with Win Tin in Rangoon.

According to the RSF Web site, the book was published because the 80-year-old Win Tin has played an active role in a number of Burmese political movements throughout his life. In 1988, he became one of the founding members of the National League for Democracy (NLD).

Asked about being the subject of a book-length biography, Win Tin, who served 19 years in prison for his political views until his release last year, said that there were others worthier of the attention.
 
“It would have been better to make a biography of anti-dictatorship leader Aung San Suu Kyi, student leader Min Ko Naing, Shan leader Khun Htun Oo, or monk leader Ashin Gambira than my biography, because they have sacrificed more than me,” he told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday.

“The records and biographies of real and brave leaders who dare to oppose and sacrifice for democracy and truth can encourage and support the younger generation,” he said.

Maung Wuntha, a well-known Rangoon-based journalist and biographer, hailed the decision to publish a life of Win Tin.

“It is a very valuable book for younger people because Sayagyi [great teacher] Win Tin is a very important figure in Burmese politics, journalism and other areas of historical importance.”

He added that he would have preferred to see a biography of Win Tin written by a Burmese writer, but acknowledged that that was impossible in a country where censorship is rampant.

Win Tin, a former editor, was released in September 2008 after serving 19 years in Rangoon’s notorious Insein Prison. He served as an adviser to pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and was sentenced to 21 years in prison in 1989 during a crackdown on government opponents.

In 1996, he received an additional seven-year sentence for writing a testimonial on torture and the lack of medical treatment for prisoners which he sent to the UN. A few hours after his release from prison, he said, “I will keep fighting until the emergence of democracy in this country.”