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Ma In Kyin Naing, first became a student activist when she was a 9th standard student. She joined the 1988 uprising and was a member of the Basic State High School Students’ Union. She later became an active member of the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS). In 1991, she tried to continue her education at the No. 2 S.H.S in San-chaung, but she was rejected because of her involvement in the students’ movements. Therefore she had to continue her studies at the No. 1 S.H.S in San-chaung. In 1994, she started her higher education at the Rangoon University (Hlaing Campus), studying Chemistry. In 1996 she joined the All Burma Federation of Students’ Unions (ABFSU) and became a student activist in Ran-goon. On December 7, 1996, she was arrested because of her participation in the December students’ demonstration. Targeted as a threat to stability by military intelligence officials, she hid inside Burma for 6 months before sneaking out to the Thai-Burma border where she rejoined her mother political organization, the DPNS. In Kyin remarked, "Among the students dissatisfaction with the military regime is rife. We have not yet seen the full consequences of the December students’ demonstrations yet. In Kyin predicts, "If the Slorc can not address the demands of the students, the Slorc will have to face the students’ movements in near future." In this interview she explains how her struggle for democracy in Burma has shaped her life. Why did you come to Thailand? On the 6th of December, 1996, I led students in a demonstration. Teachers and professors came and told us to go home. I acted as a spokesperson for the students, and explained to the teachers that we wanted a student union, student rights, and the release of jailed students. I told them that once our demands were met, we would go home. Slorc accused destructive elements of causing the student riots, denying the fact that it is their own policies and military intelligence which are responsible for student unrest. Slorc ignores the historical role of Burmese students in politics. At 4 am on December 7th I was surrounded by the authorities, along with 200 other students. I wasn’t afraid because there were so many of us. We were interrogated and then the real students were released at 3 pm the same day. It was a display for the journalists. But then a week later the military came to search my house. A relative phoned me at the place where I was staying and told me the military was going through my books, and that I should not come back. After that I hid in Burma, and in June I was finally able to sneak out to Thailand. How did you become involved in political activities? I was 15 when I joined the 1988 uprising. The 1988 demonstrations changed me. I was born under a military government, and I knew my country well, knew that the government was very bad. So I participated in the 1988 demonstrations and later became an active member of the DPNS. In 1994, I began studying chemistry at Rangoon University. When I was a second year honors student, in 1996, I joined the All Burma Federation of Students’ Unions. How does the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) recruit members? All teachers in Burma are government staff so they tell us to join the USDA. We know that if we join our lives will be much easier, the teachers will give us good grades, we have better access to good schools, and we will be more quickly promoted. Was it difficult for you to decide that you would take the more challenging and dangerous path of becoming a political activist? No. I'm so opposed to Slorc that I have never been afraid. I know that military intelligence tortures women in the prison cells, but because I'm doing my duty for my people I'm not afraid. A lot of women are very afraid, but the women’s role in opposing Slorc is still very important. Women feel that they have lost both women’s rights and human rights. What do Burmese people think when they read what the junta says about Aung San Suu Kyi in the newspapers? I think that most people feel very angry. Most feel that Suu Kyi is a good leader for Burma, and she is very inspiring for women. Almost everyone listens to radio programs from outside Burma to get real information. But there are a few people, those who have been brainwashed by Slorc, who believe in Slorc propaganda. I don’t think that many of the soldiers, police, and intelligence agents believe in what Slorc says, but they stand by Slorc because it is in their best interests. What do you think of the opposition movement in Thailand? I’m a bit disappointed. In Burma there is so much unity, we understand each other. The situation here is bad, there are too many groups, not enough unity. What do you see for the future of the students’ movement in Burma? I believe the students will fight until they get democracy.