Win Tin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Win Tin
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 12 March 1929 Gyobingauk Township, Pegu Division, British Burma
|
| Died | 21 April 2014 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | Burmese |
| Other names | Maung Wun Zin (မောင်ဝန်ဇင်း), Paw Thit (ပေါ်သစ်), Pyay Soe (ပြည်စိုး), Ponnya (ပုည), Win Swe (ဝင်းဆွေ), Thutethi (သုတေသီ), An Editor (အယ်ဒီတာ တစ်ဦး) |
| Alma mater | Rangoon University |
| Occupation | Journalist and politician |
| Political party | National League for Democracy |
| Parent(s) | U Pu Daw Mar |
Win Tin (Burmese: ဝင်းတင်, 12 March 1929 – 21 April 2014) was a famous journalist and politician from Myanmar (formerly Burma). He was one of the people who helped start a political party called the National League for Democracy (NLD). He spent 19 years in prison (from 1989 to 2008) because of his writings and his important role in the NLD party.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Win Tin went to Myoma High School in Yangon, a big city in Myanmar. Later, he studied at Rangoon University. In 1953, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He focused on English literature, modern history, and political science.
Journalism Before 1988
Win Tin became the editor-in-chief of Kyemon (The Mirror), which was a very popular newspaper in Burma. This happened after the government took control of the newspaper in 1964.
In 1969, he was chosen to be the editor-in-chief of a new government newspaper called the Hanthawaddy Daily. This newspaper became very successful. However, Win Tin believed in reporting the truth and sometimes wrote stories that criticized the government. Because of this, the newspaper was shut down, and he lost his job in 1978.
He also wrote books. One of his books was Search for beauty, which he wrote under the pen name Paw Thit. He also translated other books into Burmese. His autobiography, What is the Human Hell, was published in 2010. It shared details about his difficult experiences while in prison.
Years in Prison
Win Tin was put in prison for 19 years. He was accused of writing things that went against the government. He had also tried to tell the United Nations about problems with how people were treated in Burmese prisons.
While he was in prison, he faced very tough conditions. He was held in a small cell and sometimes didn't get enough food or water. Despite this, he continued to be a strong voice for freedom. He even started D Wave, the official newspaper of the NLD party, by writing it by hand while in prison.
Awards for Freedom of Expression
Because of his strong efforts to protect and promote freedom of speech, Win Tin received important awards.
- In 2001, he was given the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. This award honors people who work for press freedom.
- In the same year, he also received the World Association of Newspapers' Golden Pen of Freedom Award.
Release from Prison
Win Tin was finally set free from prison on 23 September 2008. He had spent 19 years there.
After his release, Win Tin worked hard to help the NLD party become strong again. He started regular meetings for the party's leaders. He also restarted a discussion group called "Youth and Future," which Aung San Suu Kyi had attended before. Win Tin visited the families of other political prisoners to give them support.
He also started the U Win Tin Foundation in 2012. This foundation helps former political prisoners and their families. It provides money for things like university education.
Later Life and Passing
In March 2014, Win Tin became sick with breathing problems and hip pain. He was taken to the hospital in Yangon. He passed away on 21 April 2014, at the age of 85, due to his organs failing. He had wished to be cremated right after his death. His cremation took place on April 23 at Yayway Cemetery in Yangon.
Images for kids
-
Win Tin, a Burmese journalist and politician.
