Poetry as Weaponry in Myanmar

An Amnesty International article brings Saw Wai's poetry into focus. "Saw Wai is facing two years in prison for reciting a poem at a peaceful rally calling for amendments to Myanmar’s 2008 Constitution, which entrenches the military’s power in the country," the article explains. Picking up from there: 

Saw Wai started writing poetry when he was 14 years old. In 2008, he was sentenced to two years in prison for penning “February 14” – a coded critique of the military disguised as a love poem in which he called General Than Shwe (the then-head of the military government) power crazy.

Two other activists - Kyee Myint, a lawyer, Nay Myo Zin, a former military captain, are also facing the same charges for giving speeches at the rally. Nay Myo Zin is already serving one year in prison and facing additional charges for speaking at other peaceful rallies.

Learn more at Amnesty International.