The Revolution will not be Incarcerated
Insight Myanmar28 Feb 2023

The Revolution will not be Incarcerated

Episode #151: Tomas Martin is a prison researcher who presently works with DIGNITY, the Danish Institute Against Torture. His interest in prison research was first piqued when he heard about ten-day vipassana meditation courses in the tradition of S.N. Goenka being conducted in Tihar Jail outside of New Delhi. He is now focusing on how imprisonment in Myanmar, and its ramifications, and not only the prisoners, but the staff as well.

Besides the violence which often plagues incarceration, Martin pays close attention to the everyday experience of prison life. One of the more unique areas of his research has been a study of the usually foul prison air and its psychological and physical affects. He has pushed for new prison designs that encourage better ventilation, to improve the overall quality of life for prisoners.

On the subject of human rights within Burmese prisons, Martin points out the tragic truth that torture has long been used by the military regime to punish political dissidents. After they go through unfair trials, Martin explains how they then have limited contact with family, and their access to food and medicine is restricted. In addition, they are often either placed in extremely overcrowded conditions or kept in solitary confinement, two extremes that are equally detrimental to mental and physical health.

Martin has observed a paradoxical relationship between the revolution and the regime’s attempts at oppression. “Prison is where revolutionary actors and protests are being quelled. People are being locked up and even killed, to destroy the revolution. But the prison is also a place where there is opportunity to collect revolutionary actors and to produce revolutionary action and spirit!”

Avsnitt(507)

Rage Against the Dying Light

Rage Against the Dying Light

Episode #291: Charles Petrie, a former United Nations official with extensive experience in conflict zones, reflects on his time working with the UN and his recent journey to conflict-ridden areas in ...

10 Dec 20242h 42min

Surviving Scorched Earth

Surviving Scorched Earth

Episode #290: Nyo Mar's story is one of resilience, perseverance, and a relentless fight against discrimination in Myanmar. Born into a Muslim minority family in a remote area of Myanmar, her early li...

6 Dec 20241h 30min

These Songs of Freedom

These Songs of Freedom

Episode #289: Patrick Burgess is an Australian barrister, international human rights lawyer, and singer-songwriter who has spent his life working at the intersection of law, conflict, and advocacy. Hi...

3 Dec 20242h 52min

Anāgārika Munindra

Anāgārika Munindra

Episode #288: Anagarika Munindra was born in 1915 in a village that later became part of Bangladesh. Raised in an ancient Buddhist clan, he grew up in a loving family and showed a profound interest in...

29 Nov 20242h 14min

Brewing Up Change

Brewing Up Change

Episode #287: “I actually find the process of rock climbing quite similar to activism, because during rock climbing, you always fall! You always get disappointed about why couldn't I just get to the t...

26 Nov 20241h 54min

Breaking Burma

Breaking Burma

Episode #286: “Some people during the so-called transition, people in Yangon, were like, 'The military is changing!' Like, no, they're not; they're changing the way they talk to you, to elites, but th...

22 Nov 20242h 21min

This Land Was Our Land

This Land Was Our Land

Episode #285: “We can't live under the mercy of Rakhine or the Burmese. Would you give your personal guarantee that the atrocities that have been committed over the decades, and centuries, for that ma...

19 Nov 20242h 1min

Rising Above the Static

Rising Above the Static

Episode #284: Aye Chan Naing is a pioneering journalist and activist dedicated to independent media in Myanmar. He co-founded the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) in the years following the military's ...

15 Nov 20241h 44min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
p3-krim
motiv
rss-krimstad
fordomspodden
spar
flashback-forever
rss-viva-fotboll
aftonbladet-daily
rss-sanning-konsekvens
blenda-2
svenska-fall
rss-vad-fan-hande
rss-krimreportrarna
olyckan-inifran
rss-frandfors-horna
dagens-eko
svd-ledarredaktionen
rss-flodet
svd-dokumentara-berattelser-2