Min Ko Naing is a well-known democracy activist and iconic leader of the 1988 uprising in Myanmar. Since he was a student of zoology in Yangon in the mid-eighties Min Ko Naing fought for democracy, freedom and self-determination of his people against the corruption, despotism and violence of the military. The New York Times described him as Myanmar's "most influential opposition figure after Aung San Suu Kyi".

After the '88 uprising was bloodily crushed by the military and resulted in more than 3000 people killed, Min Ko Naing was arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Amnesty International and other Human Rights organisations worldwide who recognized him as a "prisoner of conscience" fought continuously but in vain for his release. In the first years of his imprisonment Min Ko Naing was repeatedly tortured which led to lasting consequences for his health until today. After two short interruptions, Min Ko Naing stayed imprisoned until 2012 therefrom 16 years in solitary confinement. On his release, he helped to found the 88' Generation Peace and Open Society. Min Ko Naing received among others the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, the Civil Courage Prize, the John Humphrey Freedom Award and the National Order of Merit in 2015. 

Since the military seized power again in February 2021 they issued arrest warrants for Min Ko Naing and other prominent activists. He went underground and has since called on his people to take a "no participation and no recognition" approach to the military and urged the public to protest persistent and peaceful against the regime. When I met Min Ko Naing 2019 in his home in Yangon for this interview, we were hopeful that his country was now transitioning and becoming a democracy. He explained that he is responsible for staying involved even though he sometimes just wants to sit in his garden, listen to the birds and write poems. He once said: "I will never die. Physically I might be dead, but many more Min Ko Naings would appear to take my place." The name Min Ko Naing means "conqueror of an unjust king".