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Zin Linn was born on February 9, 1947 in a small town in Mandalay Division. He began writing poems in1960 and received a B.A (Philosophy) in 1976.
He became an activist in the High School Union after the students' massacre on 7th July 1962. He then took on a role as an active member in the Rangoon Division Students' Union. He Participated in a poster-and-pamphlet campaign on the 4th anniversary of 7 July movement and went into hiding to keep away from the military police. He was still able to carry out underground pamphlet campaigns against the Burmese Socialist Programme Party ( BSPP). However, in 1982, he fell into the hands of MI and served two years imprisonment in the notorious Insein prison.
In 1988 he took part, together with his old students' union members, in the People's Democracy Uprising. In November of that year, he became an NLD Executive Committee Member for the Thingangyun Township and later became superintendent of the NLD Rangoon Division Office.
In 1991, he was arrested because of his connections with the exiled government, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment in the notorious Insein Prison. In last week of December 1997 he was released.
Zin Linn was an editor and columnist and contributed articles to various publications, especially on international affairs, while in Burma.
He fled Burma in 2001 to escape from military intelligence and currently works as information director for the NCGUB. He is also vice president of the Burma Media Association which is affiliated with the Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontiers. Zin Linn is still writing articles and commentaries in Burmese and English in various periodicals and online journals on a regular basis.
Sunday, January 22, 2012 War continues in Burma's Kachin State, Sanctions must be maintained
The Kachin News Group has also observed that on Tuesday, one day ahead of peace talks were set to begin in China, the Burmese army moved troops, artillery shells and armored vehicles to an area within firing range of the KIO's Laiza headquarters. The equipment and troop reinforcements that arrived are now stationed in Ga Ra Yang village less than 30 miles from Laiza, according to eyewitnesses in the area.
Sunday, January 8, 2012 As Burma's civil-war goes on, Kachin Rebels shot down Burma Army's copter
While President of Burma is saying to amity and unison among the ethnic groups on 4 January Independence Day, his armed forces have been fighting fiercely against the Kachin Independence Organization in the Kachin State up to date. It is inconsistent terminology of the president since the regime has been launching war against the Kachin rebels in full swing.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 Can Clinton manage to end civil war in Burma? (1 comments)
Ahead of Clinton's visit most commentators have been focusing on the release of political prisoners and ending the war against the Kachin Independence Army in Northern Burma.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Who is the grand-master of civil war in Burma?
Who is the decision-maker of the war against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)? Although, President Thein Sein has been speaking about the national unity for many times, the wars with ethnic groups continue. If these wars are not launched by the government, then the person responsible for this war may be the present military boss General Min Aung Hlaing.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Burma's egocentric Minister confront the public concerning giant dam on Irrawaddy
Burma's Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi released a letter on 11 August calling on promoters of the Myitsone dam project to reassess the plan, pointing out concerns that dams on the Irrawaddy River damage the environment, decrease rice production, dislodge ethnic peoples. Besides, it would hurt livelihoods of local communities and there is a risk of possible destructive earthquakes.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 Will Burma's President do more tangible political improvement?
Although Burma's Thein Sein's government seems to make softer its political stance against its opponents in recent weeks, it fails to do more tangible improvement. For example, the release of political prisoners and approval of press freedom remain intangible.
Sunday, August 14, 2011 River Irrawaddy becomes National Cause of Burma
In the past, Kachin people had made an official plea to the former junta's boss Senior-General Than Shwe to stop the project due to environmental damage. But he always turned a deaf ear to the call. The junta boss regularly obeys the rules of the Chinese authorities over the dam projects.
Monday, August 1, 2011 Burma needs wide-ranging international pressure for political change
Not only Mr. Ban but also ASEAN leaders should stop reciting rhetorical verses via media, said some observers in the country. At least, they should show their pragmatic supporting towards Quintana's Commission of Inquiry proposal.
Thursday, July 21, 2011 Does Burma launch colonial war in Kachin state?
In hope of setting up political dialogue, the KIO signed a ceasefire agreement with the then junta on February 24, 1994 and supported the military-favored 2008 constitution. However, no political dialogue happened in the 17-year ceasefire time and the KIO was squeezed transforming into the government-controlled Border Guard Force (BGF) before the November 7 election.
Saturday, June 18, 2011 ASEAN urges for urgent peace dialogue in Burma
The most important demand by the AIPMC is that Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, in his power as chairman of ASEAN, together with other ASEAN leaders have to reject Burma or Myanmar's application to chair ASEAN in 2014.
Sunday, May 22, 2011 Burma dreams "Poverty Alleviation' without stopping civil war (1 comments)
To most citizens of Burma, "Poverty Alleviation' should start fighting against the corruption or the practice of bribery. And it is also necessary to trim down the defense spending.
Saturday, February 12, 2011 Pang-Long Treaty has reached 64th Anniversary, But no Ethnic Equal Rights as yet
National reconciliation and ethnic self-determination are two sides of the same coin, and they must be addressed in the new parliament and in regional and state parliaments.
Without addressing and honoring the ethnic people's political aspirations, the new parliament-based fake civilian government will be unable to stop political and civil strife throughout ethnic areas.
Friday, January 7, 2011 Burma: No ethnic autonomy under military dominated sham parliament
As the self-styled new civilian government is the rebirth of the same military itself, the ethnic autonomy seems to be out of question. Correspondingly, national reconciliation proposal by Burma's Nobel laureate has also to be faced the same destiny. Thus, people of Burma have to continue struggle for national reconciliation plus self-determination.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 Burma's new fake civilian government will not allow liberty
As the self-styled new civilian government is the rebirth of the same military itself, the ethnic autonomy seems to be out of question. Correspondingly, national reconciliation proposal by Burma's Nobel laureate has also to be faced the same destiny. Thus, people of Burma have to continue struggle for national reconciliation plus self-determination.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 Tragedy Behind Burma's Vote Rigging Elections
Since 1962, the military has violently seized power and has committed countless crimes: looting country's natural resources by using brutal dictatorship, launching warfare against dissenting ethnic nationalities, keeping down civil and political liberties, downgrading the nation's educational facilities, neglecting public healthcare and causing widespread hunger.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Burma's junta pays no heed to Freedom of Expression
Burma's junta deems journalists as its harmful enemy after the dissident politicians. Media is often targeted during periodic crackdowns on opposition. Further arrests of journalists cannot be excluded. Journalists based in Rangoon say the detentions were part of a continued crackdown by the military authorities on those involved in the mass anti-government protests in September 2007.
Thursday, November 18, 2010 Aung San Suu Kyi aims to restore Panglong Spirit in Burma
Basically, Burma turned out to be an independent sovereign nation in 1948 via Panglong Agreement since all the different ethnic nationalities agreed to collaborate in an even way. Today, Burma is facing a very grave catastrophe due to the non-adherence to the spirit of Panglong Agreement.
Thursday, November 11, 2010 China and ASEAN honor the worst vote rigging in Burma
The vote is over now but the complaints come forward as a result of lack of transparency in vote-counting and no privacy in many of the nation's nearly 40,000 polling booths. Parties also complained of threats from local authorities and forced early voting for the junta's proxy party. Most of the leaders from opposition parties say unanimously that this election is completely far away from free, fair and openness.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Do Asian Leaders Stand Up For Burma's Military Dictators?
Putting the opposition in prison and banning the media from covering the elections, one cannot say these elections are free, fair and inclusive. The Philippines says the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be damaged if next month's elections in military-ruled Myanmar or Burma are a sham.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 No Space for Press Freedom in Burma's Elections
Burma is at a critical political junction. While the military regime wants to maintain its power via sham elections, the people, who long for genuine change, are demanding freedoms of expression and association. But the junta is in no mood to allow civil rights.
Thursday, October 7, 2010 Burma sponsors an abortive election exclusive of key oppositions
Critics have dismissed the elections as a sham due to the exclusion of Nobel laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest, and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
Monday, September 20, 2010 Is China interfering Burma's Internal Affairs?
China defended the upcoming elections as Burma's internal affair and urged other countries not to interfere. China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that the international community can provide constructive help to the upcoming election and refrain from making any negative impact on the domestic political process and the regional peace and stability.
Saturday, July 31, 2010 Burma needs practical agenda ahead of sham elections
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan told reporters on the sideline of the ASEAN Regional Forum that Myanmar's FM Nyan Win "got an earful" of criticism from his regional colleagues about the need for elections scheduled later this year, to be fair and credible. However, Mr. Surin and his regional colleagues should also distinguish who is the puppet and who is calling the shots in the military ruled country.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Burma's Upcoming Elections Bring Disgrace on ASEAN
The major question is that the junta's constitution and election laws not only prevent the participation of main opposition parties but also ignore the ethnic people's political aspirations. Since, Burma is a member of ASEAN, it may be a crucial challenge to the grouping. It is required to pressure convincing its immoral member going along the right path in line with the organization's accountability.
Friday, July 16, 2010 Burma honors its fallen martyrs amid political insecurity
General Aung San, the founding father of the Burma's Independence Army, never intended the army to intervene in governmental affairs.But unfortunately, on 19 July, 1947, he was assassinated y a foolish politician and the country lost a genuine national vanguard. Due to his death, the country's fledgling democracy and unison als
Saturday, June 26, 2010 ASEAN must have a specific evaluation on unfair polls in Burma
The UN should also urge Asean leaders to make concerted efforts on democratization in Burma. Burma is likely to come under the international limelight for its continued detention of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and 2,200 political prisoners ahead of its so-called elections for disciplined democracy.
Thursday, June 17, 2010 World celebrates Aung San Suu Kyi's 65th birthday while under house arrest for 5349 days
Without releasing 2,200 political prisoner, there may not be a meaningful dialogue. Without a meaningful dialogue, there may not be a true national reconciliation. Without a true national reconciliation, the junta's ongoing elections cannot be fulfilled the people's political aspirations. Instead, the 2010 elections in Burma will be a new cause for a new civil war.
Saturday, May 29, 2010 Burma plans an election at the gun point
Although they have discovered the elephant in front of them, EU and ASEAN have been suggesting the unfortunate people to be patient to find out the foot-print of the creature. The EU-ASEAN Joint statement seems to be a proper letter and it may not deter the elections-at-the-gunpoint in Burma. The consequences may throw the nation into a fresh all-out civil war.
Saturday, May 1, 2010 Burma Question Needs the UN Intervention (2 comments)
The U.N. Security Council ought to pressure the Burmese generals to sit at the dialogue table in the pursuit of national reconciliation. Without a reconciliation process, no election can solve the time-consuming question of Burma. Burma seems to be on the brink of a fresh civil war.
Sunday, April 4, 2010 US and EU should pressure more on Burma
People of Burma are looking forward to the international community to stand with them. They hope not only from European Union but also from governments around the globe to say publicly that they do not take into account the regime's election and prearranged outcome, and pressure the regime to make substantive and positive change for Burma.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Burma's junta makes a mockery of the democratic process (1 comments)
Burma's new election rules forbid anyone convicted by a court from participating in the elections. And it is required of all political parties to depose all imprisoned members to be legalized parties. Since Suu Kyi is the most prominent Opposition figure, without her participation, the vote cannot have much credibility.
Friday, February 19, 2010 Burma: Don't be taken in by the unprincipled junta
It is baseless to believe that the military dictators are going to build a democratic country by means of the 2008 constitution. But, it's regrettable Asean has been supporting the unprincipled regime in Burma that gives various miseries to its own people.
Monday, January 18, 2010 ASEAN should not be taken in by unprincipled Burma
ASEAN aims to promote regional peace and stability through respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the U.N. Charter. Yet it shuts its eyes while extrajudicial killings and violence against women and children take place daily in one of its member countries. There is no law and order at all under Burma's military dictators.
Saturday, December 26, 2009 No Sign of political growth in Burma
The Burmese populace feels it is time for the international community to raise this half-century-long political conflict in the next U.N. Security Council. They hope for aglobal arms embargo against Burma's military junta, and an investigation into crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime. The people of Burma are hoping that the international community will not put aside their fate.
Friday, December 4, 2009 Burma seeks global support for press freedom
The lifeblood of democracy is the free flow of information. Burma's media workers hope for assistance and support from international media groups so they can play a role in their country's transformation. Without press freedom, a nation cannot have social equality or democracy.
Sunday, November 1, 2009 ASEAN should respect its moral values
ASEAN leaders must consider whether Burma is heading toward an authoritarian empire or a democratic state. According to a Burmese saying, while the elephant is in front of you, you needn't search for its footprints.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 Burma's Military Chief must abandon his old tricks
There is a contradiction between allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with western diplomats and the heartless tone of Than Shwe's speech at the meeting with war veterans. People are concerned about the situation of her exploitation by the crooked military chief. The aim of allowing the Lady to meet with western diplomats seems to be to ease the sanctions.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 U.S. Policy Shift on Burma: The release of Aung San Suu Kyi must be the main focus of attention
The military regime in Burma has declared plans to hold the country's first election in two decades next year as part of its 7-step road map which actually designed as a sham to entrench the military's hold on power. People around the world, who are interested in Burma question, keenly watch the new diplomatic shift of the US towards the military ruled country. According to Mrs. Clinton, the US will engage directly with Burmes
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 Civil War Knocking At Burma's Doors
The Burmese military regime is attempting to legalize the military dictatorship with a sham constitution. Most citizens assume the junta's new 2010 election as a nothing but a declaration of war against its own people.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Burma Question - sill a matter of regional concern (1 comments)
Burma is on the brink of a fresh civil strife, as a great number of population including younger generations have articulated dissatisfaction about the most unfair trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. The intolerant citizens have called for a nation-wide general strike to bring down the deep-rooted stratocracy in Burma, due to the junta's insistence of barring the Lady to participate in the country's political reform process.
Saturday, August 15, 2009 Burma's verdict on Suu Kyi may bring civil strife
The time is right for the United Nations to take practical follow-up steps. The Security Council must establish a commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity and impunity in Burma. The Security Council should take similar steps with regard to Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The international community, led by the United Nations, should keep in mind that in 2003 there was an attack on Suu Kyi and her supporters.
Friday, July 10, 2009 Mr Ban Ki-moon's speech must not end just in Rangoon
People of Burma did not surprise when they were informed about the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's dissatisfied story during his July 3-4 Burma-trip. Anyway, it will be at lease a good lesson for the top diplomat that the military dictatorship in this country knows no international norms or diplomatic tradition at all.
Saturday, July 4, 2009 Can Mr. Ban Ki-moon cope with Burma's Political Crisis?
The UN, the EU and the ASEAN ought to collaborate to convince China to cooperate in finding a solution for crisis in Burma. Regional players should urge the military regime to abandon its recalcitrant and counter-intuitive anti-dialogue policies in the interests of dialogue and reconciliation.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 Aung San Suu Kyi is key to reconciliation
Aung San Suu Kyi is the key figure in any dialogue aimed at national reconciliation. Regional players in the international community should say with one voice that excluding Suu Kyi and other key ethnic leaders and stakeholders in the 2010 election planned by the regime will lead to new civil strife. Then, in cooperation with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, regional players should press for real democratic change in Burma.
Friday, May 22, 2009 ASEAN must support Aung San Suu Kyi
The Burmese people feel that the military regime has been using membership in ASEAN as a shield to protect itself from international pressure over its dismal human rights record. Yet ASEAN's prestige has been tarnished because of the military regime's membership. To strengthen itself, ASEAN should insist on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is guilty only of pursuing a peaceful and democratic Burma.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 Burma's Orwellian Regime Deserves Tougher Sanctions
Burma's military rulers used to say that economic sanctions are the unilateral actions taken only by the big powerful countries on developing countries, ignoring the equality among the nations, which the international community accepts. Nevertheless, the Burma's rogue military regime does not put into practice self-criticism on the question of sanctions done by itself upon its own population.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 U.N. must be tough on Burma's dictators (1 comments)
This month marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Communities, organizations and governments around the world will celebrate U.N. Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.To people's disappointment, Burma is still lacking in human rights education and practices.
Sunday, November 9, 2008 Burma; Free Dr.Zaw Myint Mg!
Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." But Zaw Myint Maung has been suffering from torture and three unjust prison sentences for almost 37 years.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Will civil strife recur in Burma?
It is time for China, India and ASEAN to pressure the Burmese junta to comply with the United Nations' consecutive decisions. The world body should encourage regional players, including Japan, to push for a meaningful dialogue between Aung San Suu Kyi and the incumbent military rulers as soon as possible.
Sunday, July 6, 2008 Who will give attention to the issue of Burma's longest serving prisoner of conscience? (5 comments)
The UDHR's article 1 says: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." But, U Win Tin, famous prisoner of conscience of Burma, cannot even enjoy its first item.The United Nations must take responsibility to flex its muscles on issue of breaking the principle of UDHR by such unmanageable regime in Burma.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Burma Urgently Needs Democratic Reforms Sponsored by the UN
Burmese Generals have been suppressing the candid critics of the regime's irresponsible move toward cyclone relief.The junta has propped up its political hallucination and annihilating democracy supporters.The member states of the UN ought to distinguish that they have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the UN, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freeedoms.
