Reignited Hope: A Journey from Myanmar's Darkness to Advocacy's Light
Bee is studying a master's in human rights in Thailand and is originally from Northern Shan State, where there are a lot of ethnic armed groups and many ongoing conflicts. Her story was collected on February 10, 2023.
“I am also learning about the UN mechanisms. I was frustrated studying that and yet seeing how Myanmar had been ignored. But, it strengthened my desire and willingness to fight back on our own and not rely on the UN mechanisms, because in today’s world, they seem rather useless.”
"I am doing fine and I’m busy with my thesis right now. I am also currently working to advocate for democracy and human rights.
I can still clearly remember the day the coup happened. I never expected it. I didn't know how to respond when I first heard the news. At that time, I was in an ethnic area, so I could still access the internet. After that, it all happened so fast, and because of all the human rights violations in the country following the coup, most of us are in a state of shock. We do not have control over these things, but I believe we have to fight back for what we want, which is federal democracy! I felt so depressed seeing many people arrested and killed, and I had this unbearable feeling that I had no more future. I talked with some of my friends and they guided me, and I also took some counseling sessions.
I realized it is our duty and responsibility to fight back. And so, I had to find my way.
I have faced the harsh experience of needing to run away for my safety. I saw some human rights violations happening before my eyes and wondered what was in our power to prevent those things from happening again! So, I decided to study human rights abroad to participate in rebuilding our country.
I discovered I had been accepted for a scholarship on the day I got the news I was pregnant. My husband and I were shocked and confused about which path we should follow. On one hand, the scholarship was essential, but I didn't want to give up my baby either. We faced a lot of difficulties making the decision. Finally, we decided to keep both and give up none. We started to make a plan, dividing tasks. My husband supported me a lot with my decision to study abroad.
I started my master's at the end of 2021. I am also learning about the UN mechanisms. I was frustrated studying that and yet seeing how Myanmar had been ignored. But, it strengthened my desire and willingness to fight back on our own and not rely on the UN mechanisms, because in today's world, they seem rather useless.
I have been participating in the revolution since 2016. The truth is the revolution started way before 2021. I feel guilty that while I am studying, some young people are participating in the CDM and don’t get the chance to do anything else. On my way here, I had to travel through ethnic controlled areas, passing a lot of checkpoints. I stayed in Yangon for one week and I felt as if someone is following me or listening to me all the time. It was a draining and a very worrying week. Here, in Thailand, I am safe, but I constantly worry about my family’s safety. I often talk with my husband and some trusted friends to overcome the stress and pressure. I also like to listen to music, watch cooking videos and sometimes I allow myself to go to a music concert. I have also been attending some psycho-social training.
The unity among people from different ethnicities and the Burmese majority in this time of revolution gives me hope. I want future Myanmar to have a better constitution, better policy and young leaders. I plan to get more involved in human rights advocacy. I will finish this master’s program and then fully participate in advocacy and policymaking to get a constitution for federal democracy. I dream of having a federal democracy and a constitution that will protect minority rights (ethnicity, religion). In addition, many academic people will be responsible for keeping the government in check. I want to be an activist instead of involved in one side only (ethnic government or national government), and then advocate and participate in checks and balances."
These stories are collected by the Real Stories Not Tales team. Real Stories Not Tales is a dedicated team in and out of Myanmar that aims to bring awareness to the reality of people's lives since the Myanmar military staged a coup on February 1st, 2021. Stories are collected through interviews with each protagonist by the team, either in Burmese or in English. Each character is drawn by a professional illustrator. RSNT is an anonymous name that is used by the group to guarantee security to all parties involved in the collection of the stories.