Hiding in the Background
Bobo's passage below, coming from our recent podcast conversation, highlights the difficult and dangerous situation faced by activists and human rights defenders in Myanmar since the military coup in 2021. As a member of an underground collective, he must operate in secret and take precautions to avoid being detected by the military regime and its supporters.
Bobo's story is a testament to the courage and resilience of the people of Myanmar who continue to fight for democracy and human rights despite the grave risks involved. It is heartbreaking that individuals like Bobo must go to such great lengths to protect themselves and their families while carrying out essential work to promote freedom and justice. Bobo's determination to continue with the movement, even in the face of such danger and adversity, is truly inspiring.
The story of Bobo and other activists like him highlights the urgent need for international attention and support for the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. The international community must recognize the severity of the situation and take concrete steps to support those who are risking their lives to stand up for their rights and freedoms. We must all stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and demand that their voices be heard and their struggles be recognized.
“My neighbors are from military; they are still actively working in the military! They are soldiers.”
“After the coup, we went into the background like underground activists, as we can no longer work freely. We have to hide, working in the place where we stay. So, we have to have a safe place. We need to show our neighbors who we are, an identity; we choose a story for ourselves! No one can notice me, that I'm doing politics, that I'm doing activist or human rights work. That’s why first I need to create the story. Even if it were like, ‘I'm teaching the students.’ I cannot say that, because it could be related with the CDM students. That's why I say I'm ‘teaching language to the children.’ And I add ‘online,’ at that, so that no one can notice me, that they would think that I'm really doing politics.
And then when I'm communicating with the alliance or something, if I am speaking, I cannot speak loudly, even online. Because when we are talking, we are talking about very serious topics, relating to the current situation. We are sharing about the current situation, planning, strategizing. For instance what we are going to do, what kind of what kind of activities or kind of strike we are going to continue. So we are talking and discussing with our alliances, with our networks. When I come to this kind of meeting online, I have to speak very quietly because I cannot allow my neighbors to hear what I'm saying. If I say something that is related to the current situation, to the movement, they could notice me, who I am.
That's why when I'm talking, when I'm communicating, I speak quietly, and I need to find a place where no one can hear me. In my country, we are not living in big compounds yards; houses are very close to each other. If I say something, my neighbor could hear what I'm saying. That's what I need to manage. So, when I’m speaking, I speak in a very, very low voice. And also I present to my neighbors that I'm teaching. Just like this. It is the way, it is how we deal with the situation and how we continue with the movement.
My neighbors are from military; they are still actively working in the military! They are soldiers. That's why I feel, ‘Oh my God, I've got problems with my neighbors.’ It makes me squeeze myself more. Whenever I’m talking with my colleagues, I say, ‘Okay, let me speak very slowly and quietly, because of my neighbors. That is how I am dealing with the situation.”