She is a well-known activist in Burma and has been actively involved in issues relating to labour rights, child soldiers and forced labour. In 2007 she was sentenced to eight years in prison for treason. She was released early on a government amnesty in October 2011.
Different (human rights) organisations have campaigned for your release. Did you know that people in the West were active for your release? And did you notice anything of these actions ?
Su Su Nway. I did not know anything and did not hear anything, and did not receive any information about the outside world when I was in prison. I knew and heard about it only after my release from prison. I really would like to thank all those people who support us and struggle for us. I really want to thank them on behalf of all other political prisoners as well. I appreciate their support hugely.
What do you think of people writing letters for political prisoners? Do you think it helps?
Su Su Nway.I believe it is really helpful. I was released now because of international support and pressure like this and because of the international media.
Do you have a message for all those people who were active for your release ?
Su Su Nway.I really want to say to all these people and organizations: thank you so much for your support , for your warm help for my release while I was in prison without any information. And I want to ask you again to help and encourage the authorities to release the rest of political prisoners…
How do you think people here (in the West) can help promote human rights in your country ?
Su Su Nway.To promote human rights in our country, I would like people in the West to keep an eye on what is happening. What we need is awareness of what is going on in Burma. And I want you to address the government and put pressure on them to change.
What are your plans for the future ?
Su Su Nway. I promise the people in Burma and outside that I will continue my struggle to achieve democracy and full human rights in Burma.
How do you think freedom and democracy can come to Burma ?
Su Su Nway.To achieve democracy and freedom in Burma, struggling politically and by political parties alone is not enough. Everyone must get involve in this struggle to achieve our goal. We are struggling for human rights within the law, according to the law, we do not break the law. But the authorities break the law which they themselves made. They, for example, confiscate land from the farmers, to work on it with forced labour. And they also claim that there are no child soldiers in Burma, but there are still many child soldiers. I want to encourage you all again, to please struggle for your own rights.