Prominent 88 Generation student dies in car accident

By MRATT KYAW THU | FRONTIER

YANGON — Ma Mee Mee, a prominent member of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, has died following a car accident today in Ayeyarwady Region’s Kyaunggon Township, a spokesperson for the group has confirmed.

Ko Ant Bwe Kyaw, another leading member of the movement, posted on his Facebook page: “I’ve heard the bad news. Media, please don’t ask me to confirm this news anymore, I don’t want to confirm this news.”

Mee Mee, 47, whose real name was Thin Thin Aye, was in a car accident in Kyaunggon Township while travelling to Yangon. She died at 5.20pm on the way to Pathein General Hospital.

The well-known activist was imprisoned for taking part in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising when she was just 16 and was subsequently imprisoned again in 1996 and 2007, according to a profile in the Irrawaddy.

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After her release from prison in January 2012, she encouraged other women to take a more active role in politics, the profile said.

A statement posted to the official National League for Democracy Facebook page said the party was deeply saddened by the fatal accident and offered condolences, saying Mee Mee had been at the front line of the pro-democracy movement. 

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