In Myanmar, formerly Burma, indications of a positive development have been observed for the first time since the military coup of February 2021. Rebel groups allied with the underground democracy movement engage in nation-wide actions against the military junta. Famous Burmese intellectual, writer, activist and doctor Ma Thida finds the the resistance of the civil society and democratic movement encouraging. The winner of the last elections and Peace Nobel Prize Winner Aun San Suu Kyi was removed by the coup d’état and remains to be incarcerated. A disenchanting situation for media professionals: On the World Press Freedom Index, Myanmar ranks 173th out of 180 states.
Ma Thida too, had been incarcerated for a long time and is now living in exile in Berlin. With journalist and Asia expert Sven Hansen, she discusses the Spring Revolution in Maynmar and how it strives to find a multi-ethnic democratic exit from this labyrinth. International reactions prove to be disappointing.
Ma Thida
Author, activist, doctor from Myanmar, living in exile in Berlin
Sven Hansen
Long-standing Asia editor for German daily newspaper taz. die tageszeitung
Han Sens Asientalk