Phyu Phyu Thin Explained

Phyu Phyu Thin
Native Name Lang:my
Order:Member of the Pyithu Hluttaw
from Mingalataungnyunt Township
Term Start:2 May 2012
Term End:1 February 2021
Predecessor:Aung Kyi
Birth Date:23 December 1972
Nationality:Burmese
Party:National League for Democracy
Awards:Homo Homini Award (2007)

Phyu Phyu Thin (Burmese: ဖြူဖြူသင်း, in Burmese pronounced as /pʰjù pʰjù θɪ́ɰ̃/; born 23 December 1971) is a Burmese politician and HIV/AIDS activist who served as a House of Representatives MP for Mingala Taungnyunt Township from 2012 until her removal from office in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.[1]

Political imprisonment

On May 21, 2007, Phyu Phyu Thin was arrested by police in Yangon for organizing a prayer rally to call for the release of detained National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Never told what crime she had committed, she was held for more than a month, and was released on July 2, 2007.[2]

As an activist, Phyu Phyu Thin has been an outspoken critic of the State Peace and Development Council, which she says is understating the number of HIV and AIDS cases in Myanmar. She operates a clinic in Yangon that provides treatment, medicine and counseling to HIV and AIDS patients.[3] [4] [5] The United States Department of State also called for Phyu Phyu Thin's release.[2]

While in detention, Phyu Phyu Thin staged a hunger strike, taking only liquids for about one week.[2] Her family, which had not been told where she was being held, said it would file a missing person's case with police.[6] [7]

Phyu Phyu Thin has previously been detained in 2000, after she and other Suu Kyi supporters were bundled away by police from a rally for Suu Kyi. She was held for a time in Insein prison.[4]

International recognition

In 2007, People in Need awarded Phyu Phyu Thin, along with fellow prisoners Su Su Nway and Nilar Thein, their Homo Homini Award.[8]

Political career

Phyu Phyu Thin was elected for a parliamentary seat in the lower house (Pyithu Hluttaw)'s Mingala Taungnyunt constituency, in 2012 by-elections.[9] In the 2015 Myanmar general election, re-elect Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Mingala Taungnyunt Township.

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amid Coup, Myanmar's NLD Lawmakers Form Committee to Serve as Legitimate Parliament . The Irrawaddy . 7 April 2021 . 8 February 2021 . 27 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211227061607/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/amid-coup-myanmars-nld-lawmakers-form-committee-serve-legitimate-parliament.html . live .
  2. Web site: Associated Press . Prominent Myanmar AIDS activist freed from detention . . 2009-07-03 . 2007-07-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110501155122/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F7%2F3%2Fapworld%2F20070703102730&sec=apworld . 2011-05-01 .
  3. Web site: Burma Released HIV-Positive Activists From Hospital Confinement . . 2007-06-08 . 2007-06-29 .
  4. Web site: Mann . Naomi . A Brave, Caring Woman Now Also Needs Help . . 2009-07-03 . 2007-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155204/http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=7749 . 2007-09-30.
  5. Web site: Lae . Aye . HIV/AIDS Patients Detained in Rangoon . . 2009-06-07 . 2007-06-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165404/http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=7391 . September 30, 2007 .
  6. Web site: Aung . Htet . "Free Suu Kyi" Campaigners Released . . 2009-06-28 . 2007-06-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195459/http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=7698 . September 27, 2007 .
  7. Web site: Paung . Shah . Relatives of Missing HIV Activist Threaten to Sue Authorities . . 2009-06-21 . 2007-06-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200421/http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=7547 . September 27, 2007 .
  8. Web site: People in Need . 2011-05-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110501192644/http://www.clovekvtisni.cz/index2en.php?id=549 . 2011-05-01 .
  9. News: NLD AIDS activist to run for Parliament. 7 February 2012. Mizzima. 9 February 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120208223837/http://mizzima.com/edop/features/6547-nld-aids-activist-to-run-for-parliament.html. 8 February 2012.