At the ceremony, President Chen Shui-bian and Chairman of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Wang Jin-pyng presented Maung with an award and a grant for US$100,000. Chen praised Maung for her determination in assisting her fellow countrymen. "On behalf of a democratic and free Taiwan, I would like to pay our highest regards to Maung," he said.
Addressing an audience of over 100 invited guests from around the world, Maung first expressed appreciation to the TFD, which initiated the award in 2006, for choosing her as the recipient of this year's honor, saying, "We [the people of Myanmar] strongly believe that the accomplishment of Taiwan's peaceful transition into a democracy is a landmark event in the worldwide spread of democracy."
The Myanmarese doctor then described the worsening humanitarian conditions in her country, including the destruction of villages, displacement of people, forced labor, conscription of children and systematic rape. "The military junta is the source of all the problems in Myanmar," Maung said.
Nevertheless, the people's hope for a peaceful and stable country has never left their hearts, she noted. "I call on the international community and our Taiwanese friends to support the long-term struggle for peace and [democratic] development in Myanmar," she concluded.
Taiwan's president mentioned that in light of the great trials faced by the people of Myanmar in their quest for democracy, Maung's award takes on a far deeper significance. "The military regime's cruelty and indifference look even more contemptible when placed next to her selfless love," he pointed out.
The purpose of the ADHRA is to support democratic development and promote human rights throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The TFD confers an award every year on an Asian institution or individual that demonstrates outstanding leadership in the advancement of democracy and human rights through peaceful means, the foundation stated.
The TFD announced Nov. 19 that the 48-year-old Maung had eventually been selected by a review board, which consisted of seven people from six countries, for her tenacious and long-term commitment to the thousands of refugees and migrant workers who seek refuge from oppression and violence by the military regime that governs the country, and for her dedication to training and educating those refugees to build a community based on respect for life and human rights.
Maung is a refugee from Myanmar herself, having fled from her homeland when the junta clamped down on protesters during the pro-democracy rallies of 1988. After walking through the jungle for many days, Maung and a group of other medical workers finally made it to a refugee camp in Thailand. The following year, she established a clinic near the small town of Mae Sot that now serves around 200 patients a day.
After the award ceremony, Maung attended a seminar organized by the TFD titled "Human Rights in Myanmar." Chaired by the TFD President Lin Wen-cheng, members of the panel included Maung, Michael Hsiao, executive director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Area Studies of Academia Sinica, and heads of local non-governmental organizations.
Speaking at the event, Maung stated that the number of displaced people on the Thailand-Myanmar border is estimated to be between 500,000 and 600,000, being mostly people forced to leave their towns and farms because of oppressive campaigns launched by the military junta, according to a Dec. 13 report by Taiwan's Central News Agency.
It is very difficult for refugees in Myanmar to gain access to such things as health care, education, clean water and decent accommodation, she added. In addition, the displaced people have to face the danger of drug addiction, which is a growing problem among disconsolate refugees. Taken together, the issues in Myanmar are simply too serious to be overlooked, Maung said.
Hsiao echoed the doctor's concern, describing the situation as "a living hell," in which many civilians have even been deprived of the right to stay in their hometowns. "As matter of fact, Taiwan might not be able to do much to improve the situation in Myanmar. But Taiwanese people can offer simple support by focusing more attention on the problem, as well as providing direct humanitarian aid to Myanmar," he said.
Write to Edwin Hsiao at edwinhsiao@mail.gio.gov.tw