Win Tin

Win Tin (Burmese: ဝင်းတင်, [wɪ́ɴ tɪ̀ɴ], 12 March 1930 – 21 April 2014) was a Burmese journalist, politician and former political prisoner. He co-founded the National League for Democracy (NLD). He was imprisoned by the military government for 19 years (1989–2008) for his writings and his leadership position in the NLD.

Early life and education

He attended Myoma High School in Yangon. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature, modern history and political science from Rangoon University in 1953.

Political imprisonment

Win Tin served a 20-year sentence on charges including "anti-government propaganda." He had tried to inform the United Nations of ongoing human rights violations in Burmese prisons.

In 2001, Win Tin was awarded the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize for his efforts to defend and promote the right to freedom of expression. That year, he was also awarded the World Association of Newspapers' Golden Pen of Freedom Award. From 2006 onward, he could not receive visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

At 81, he was in a poor state of health, exacerbated by his treatment in prison, which has included torture, inadequate access to medical treatment, being held in a cell designed for military dogs, without bedding, and being deprived of food and water for long periods of time.

Release

He was freed on 23 September 2008, after serving 19 years in prison.

After his release from prison Win Tin made efforts to reorganise the NLD. He relaunched the weekly meetings of the party's Central Executive Committee which had been irregularly held since 2003. He also resumed a regular roundtable called "Youth and Future" which Aung San Suu Kyi had participated in the past. Win Tin visited families of political prisoners to offer moral support.

Health problems and death

He was admitted to a private hospital on 12 March 2014 for respiratory problems and hip pain before being moved to the Yangon General Hospital. He died of multiorgan failure on 21 April 2014.