Nai Yakha, Mon political prisoner On July 17, 2003, the Burmese military regime accused him and his colleagues of conspiracy for attempting to overthrow the Burmese military regime and unjustly sentenced them to death. The sentences were later reduced to life in prison. One of his colleagues Nai Ong Lorn, 45, died in jail with an unconfirmed case on 28 September 2005. Now he and his colleague Nai Cheem Gakao have been in a notorious Burmese jail ever since. Nai Yekha was Born in Kannee village, Kawkreik Township, Burma on July 1, 1959, into the family of a freedom fighter. His farther was a member of New Mon State Party as chairman of township. Nai Yekha studied physics in Moulmein University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. During his studying years he was active in the democratisation and ending dictatorship ruling so-called Burmese Socialist Programme Party [BSPP], and after he received a Bachelor o Science degree in 1982, he became a teacher at the Middle-School of Kawkreik town. At the same time, he was also actively involved in Student Union\'s activities to organize students and youths to join the organization. He married with Mi Chit Khin, High School teacher at Kawkreik and they have three children, Mi Cakkawaa, 24, Mi Kon Kroi, 22, and Mehn Aie Chan, 19, High School student. Both of theirs daughters Mi Cakkawaa and Mi Kon Kroi are graduated from University and now working as a teacher at Mon Education Department which have been run by the local Mon community. Almost these schools are in area under control of SPDC and were accused as illegal schools and the teaching of Mon language and literature in these is a competitive activity against the government education policy. He played a key significant role in the 8888 uprising which millions of people marched on the streets, protesting against the dictatorship ruling the country and calling for democracy, in Mon State and Karen State. Unfortunately, the military regime, now known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), responded to the uprising with brutal force by gunning down down about 3000 demonstrators. As his activities became known to the Burmese authority Nai Yekha had been forced to go underground to hide and to move from house to house every night, in order to avoid arrest. After several months it was really dangerous for him to continue to live in the area, and he decided to move to liberal area and joined with New Mon State Party (NMSP), which fighting for self-determination and democracy for almost five decades. Soon after he joined the NMSP, he was elected as chairman of Moulmein district. But he would rather be a theacher. Therefore he was later promoted to as vice-chairman of Organising Department and headmaster of the Political School of the NMSP. He taught politics to party\'s members and local people. After the NMSP and the SPDC signed cease-fire agreement in 1995, he started his organiziong and teaching works again because he believed that changes in Burma must come from the people of the country. Thus, he taught politics or political defiance to people including monks, students, youths, farmers, and women. He is also a good organizer. He organized people and encourage them to form associations and organizations base on their interests. As his activities became popular among Mon people, his popularity became threatening the power of Burmese military regime. As a result, on July 17, 2003 the Burmese military regimes arrested him and his colleges and his colleges and accused them of conspiracy for attempting to overthrow the Burmese military regime. They were unjustly sentenced to death. The sentences were later reduced to life in prison. One of his colleagues Nai Ong Lorn, 45, died in jail with an unconfirmed case on 28 September 2005. Now he and his colleague Nai Cheem Gakao have been in a notorious Burmese Insein jail in the building 4, room 6 ever since. Therefore, we strongly urge: The Burmese military regime to immediately release Nai Yekha, Nai Cheem Gakao, and all political prisoners in Burma including Khun Tun Oo, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and other ethnic leaders. To solve all problems in Burma, it is a right time to hold a tripartite dialogue amongst the ruling military regime, all democratic parties which won the 1990 general election, and ethnic nationalities.

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