Remembering Han Lin
HAN LIN, teacher, husband, father, friend, and freedom fighter known
worldwide for his passionate commitment to democracy and freedom in his
native Burma, passed from this earth on Friday, September 26, 2008, five
days past his 57th birthday, with his beloved family by his side.
Born in Palaw Town in southern Burma (which borders Thailand, Laos, India,
Bangladesh, and China), Han Lin (Burmese don’t use first and last names; Han
Lin is his full name) was the eldest of six children.
He was only eight when the young republic of Burma was overtaken in a coup. Ever since, the country has been under the control of brutal military regimes.
Han Lin taught middle school math and was a village leader, teaching about
democracy and daringly speaking against the regime. He married Htay Htay
Yee, also a teacher, in 1973. Their first five children were born in
Burma—Ne Lin Tun, their eldest son, was born in 1975, second son Aung Phyo
in 1977, daughter May Lin in 1981, son Tayza in 1983, and son Thuya in 1985.
Han Lin led his village in the 1988 countrywide peaceful populist uprising,
when millions of people demanded democracy and basic rights. They forced the
first regime to resign, but two months later the military regained power,
slaughtered people indiscriminately, and arrested many opposition leaders
including Aung San Suu Kyi. The grim date in Burmese history, August 8, 1988
(8-8-88), is commemorated yearly.
Responding to pressure, the military regime staged an election in 1990; it
lost in a landslide to Aung San Suu Kyi’s (and Han Lin’s) party. But the
regime refused to allow Aung San Suu Kyi or her fellows to take office; she
has been incarcerated for most of the years since, never allowed to take her
rightful place as the country’s elected leader, despite winning a Nobel
Peace Prize in 1991 and having millions of champions worldwide.
After 1988, Han Lin continued the fight for democracy, but faced constant
threats. In 1990, to avoid being killed or imprisoned, he was forced to
leave his wife and children, then ages 5 to 15. Through treacherous terrain
he reached hiding in the jungle near Thailand, some 100 miles from his home.
Two years later, after constant worry and frequent harassment by military
thugs, Htay Htay Yee and the children made their way to Han Lin and his
fellow exiles.
The family lived in the jungle for six years. Htay Htay Yee gave birth to
their sixth child, Thu Yein, now 16, there. In 1996 the family moved into a
refugee camp in Thailand, where they stayed a year before coming to Ithaca
in 1997.
In 1999 Han Lin began working as a facilities attendant at Ithaca College,
where three of his children received their education (Thuya is a senior this
year); son Aung still works there. Han Lin worked at IC until December 2006.
In 2004, 2005, and 2006 he led peaceful demonstrations in Washington, D.C.,
asking U.S. and world leaders to intervene in Burma. The campaigns included
long marches to U.N. headquarters in New York, where he and his colleagues
met with leaders and diplomats from many nations to negotiate for action on
Burma, and staged hunger strikes to draw attention to Burma’s plight.
Han Lin’s group grew into the International Campaign for Freedom of Aung San
Suu Kyi (ICFAB) <http://www.icfab.org>, formed with the help of Ithaca
humanitarian Maura Stephens. In 2005 the group inspired Ithaca Common
Council to pass the country’s first city resolution declaring August 8 to be
in perpetuity Burmese Democracy Day, to show Ithacans’ commitment to helping
make democracy in Burma a reality; more than 100 Burmese families now live
in Ithaca.
A wise, visionary, and famously determined leader, Han Lin was known
throughout the exile Burmese communities in Asia, the United States, Europe,
and the Pacific for his courage and unwavering dedication to helping his
compatriots. He spent countless hours strategizing via teleconference and in
person with other veteran leaders of the 8-8-88 Burmese people’s movement to
stir the people and leaders of the world to do as Burmese democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi asked: “Please use your freedom to promote ours.”
Han Lin was diagnosed with late-stage cancer in January 2007. Like everything,
he faced it with bravery and strength. Although it ultimately defeated his
body, it could not touch his indomitable spirit, which will live on in his
comrades, friends, and mostly in his family, who meant the world to him.
Han Lin leaves his wife, Htay Htay Yee, their children, Ne Lin Tun of
Indiana and Aung Phyo, May, Tayza, Thuya, and Thu Yein of Ithaca; his
brother Min Aung of Amarillo, Texas, and three brothers and a sister in
Burma; daughter-in-law Wai Wai, and many dear friends and fellow activists.
Friends suggest making donations to help the family. Checks can be made out
to Htay Htay Yee and brought to calling hours or mailed c/o Maura Stephens,
PO Box 403, Spencer, NY 14883.
The family invites friends, colleagues, and all who wish to pay respects to
attend calling hours with Buddhist prayers from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday
September 28 at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 W. Green St, Ithaca, New York
(between Geneva and Albany Streets); 607-272-1922. Everyone is also invited
to a celebration of Han Lin’s life right afterword, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
at the Women’s Community Building, corner of Cayuga and Seneca Streets.
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