Monks sentenced to Burmese prisons are not allowed to wear their robes inside jail. Even though they are not allowed to wear their robes, they continue to function as monks according to Ashin Zaw Latt, a prominent Mon Buddhist monk, who was released from Pathein Prison on 13th January as part of Burmese President Thein Sein's amnesty for 651 prisoners.

Ashin Zaw Latt before he was arrested (Photo: Kaowao)

Speaking by phone after he arrived in Rangoon from Pathein, Ashin Zaw Latt said that although he was wearing normal clothes, he was still a Buddhist monk.

“They did not allow the wearing of robes in prison. This is why I have to wear normal clothes. But, I will wear my robe again when I get back to my village,” he said.

Ashin Zaw Latt was sentenced to15 years for giving inside information to exile Mon media in Thailand and for distributing and smuggling the Mon newspaper ‘Guiding Star’ and for participating in Mon politics.

Ashin Zaw Latt was arrested on January, 2010, and spent two years in prison. He is 30 years old now and is from Mudoon village, Chaungzone Township, Mon State.

Ashin Zaw Latt arrived in Rangoon after was released from Pathein Prison (Photo: Kaowao)

“They sentenced me 10 years for giving news to outside media. They put me in prison for one year for political activity. I also got 4 years for I distributing the ‘Guiding Star’ Mon newspaper,” he said.

Even though he had to spend hard time in prison for two years, he said that he will continue to work with the media. His aim is to be a good Mon journalist, but he said that he needs to study more to be a good one.

“My aim is to be a good journalist. Our Mon media is still weak. We do not have a lot of space of freedom in our community. Therefore, I made the decision that I need to work on this,” he said.
 
Ashin Zaw Latt was transferred to Pathein Prison after he was sentenced for 15 years, which is far from Mon State, making it difficult for his family to visit.

To keep himself in high spirits in Pathein Prison, he said that he sang a Mon national song every day at 6 pm.

“I saluted and sang alone a Mon national song everyday at 6 pm in prison after I arrived in Pathein Prison as I would love for the Mon to have freedom,” he said.

The ethnic Mon in Burma do not have freedom yet, and he said that he will continue to fight for the people to have self government and join the people together.

“They (government) sent me to prison because I was involved in media and politics. But, I will not stop doing this now that I am free,” he said.

Meanwhile, two other Mon political prisoners have not been released yet in the amnesty despite the high hopes of Mon people. They are Min Nay Win (aka Nai Yekha) and Min Myo Thwe who were sentenced to life in prison.

“I thought three of us (he, Nai Yekha and Min Nay Win) would be released at the same time when I heard about the amnesty. We all will work together again after our release, I thought. But, even without them, I am not discouraged, I will continue to do whatever I can” said Ashin Zaw Latt.

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