An interview with Dr. May Yi, lecturer who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)
September 28th, 2022
The army seized the country’s power from the elected government on February 1st, 2021. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar which is on the path to democracy has gone back to the old dark age. The civil servants joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) along with the public across the country as they defy the coup and no longer want to work under the dictatorship. Among the CDM staff is Dr. May Yi, a Chin national lecturer who has got the Ph.D in law.
Dr. May Yi got the LL.B degree from Monywa University and LL.M from Yadanabon University in Mandalay. She worked as a lecturer for distance education in Myitkyina, Monywa and Mandalay universities. Following the coup, she defied the military dictatorship and joined the CDM. Then, she took refuge in Mizoram State of India. The following is the KMG’s interview with Dr. May Yi.
Q: Why did you join the CDM?
A: Firstly, since the 1962 military coup, we grew up under the education system operated by military rule. When I become a lecturer, I feel how wide the development gap between Myanmar and the world is. Since my childhood, the fact that military rule is not good has borne in my mind. The education system became better when the civilian government came to power. We saw developments in all sectors. To be clear, we could introduce ourselves to the world. Under this circumstance, I don’t want to return to the old dark age. I myself have decided not to work under military rule. I have joined the CDM with the mind that I will not do teaching and share my knowledge under this military rule. Our country has returned to the dark age and in real danger, following the coup. Our country is under a bad administrative system. At this time, our country needs us. I have had a thought that we will participate if we are not involved in it this time. We have inborn-duty to sacrifice at a time when the country needs me. That’s why I joined the non-violent CDM.
Q: Now you arrive here after joining the CDM. Have you ever thought that you will stay here after leaving the country? How do you feel as it happens?
A: I have never thought that the army will stage a coup. I have never experienced it before. I was very young when the 8888 Uprising erupted. I did not see it although I suffered the consequences of the coup. Now I myself have experienced it. I have never thought that I would stay like this. I got the Ph.D by submitting a paper about refugee life. Now I experience the real situations I learned by theory. Anyhow, I feel I would partly help these refugees mentally or provide them with other needs.
Q: It has been over 1.8 years since the coup. What difficulties and challenges do you face as you have to take refuge in another country after joining the CDM?
A: I myself am a lecturer who taught the law subject and arrived here without any documents. I feel unsafe as I arrive in a country which has no exact policy about refugees.
I could overcome my difficulties. I stayed at the house of my relatives for around two months. I moved to another place. It is found that most of the CDM staff faced a lot of difficulties. I am okay as my relatives stay here.
Q: Civil servants who joined the CDM face a lot of difficulties as time passes. May I know your comment on this matter?
A: I saw a lot of people who joined the CDM arrived here as refugees. We have no jobs and don’t get any assistance. The CDM nurse has to work as a housemaid. A teacher has to go to the forest to work in gravel mining. Some CDM staff have to cut and sell bamboo. I myself have a job. But I have not laid down the plans for the next three years. I feel that we have no future as we can only think about the present day and tomorrow.
Q: How should relevant officials deal with these situations?
A: I feel depressed. CDM staff formed the Myanmar CDM Association to give encouragement and carry out necessary capacity building. We ourselves have to seek ways to solve our difficulties. On the other hand, the NUG or the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) should place emphasis on a plan to provide physical and mental assistance to the CDM staff in Chin State. The pattern of revolution will totally change if all civil servants go to the office as usual and only People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and Chinland Defense Forces (CDFs) participate in the revolution. I want the officials to remember the fact that our revolution is more meaningful as the government staff join the CDM and participate in this revolution.
Q: What role do you continue to play in the Spring Revolution when you arrive in Mizoram state?
A: I performed duties in the Institute of Chin Affairs Organization when I arrived here. The main reason I participate in it is because these works are linked to the revolution. For instance, we have to study the military council’s violence in Chin State. We have to collect the data. Then, the matters are about the refugee affairs in Mizoram. Especially, I think about how I can contribute to the education affairs of the IDPs in Mizoram as I came from the education field. This is my role in an NGO. I also play a role in seeking opportunities for the graduated youths to pursue their education by affiliating with the universities in Mizoram. I record and distribute the lessons for CDM students. The students can pursue their education if they have internet access in the places where they are staying.
Q: Can you tell me about the current situations of the IDPs taking shelter in Mizoram State as far as you know? What are the situations on the availability of rations and education for the IDPs? What are the major needs?
A: India has no policy about refugees. It has not signed an international treaty on refugees. However, Mizoram State government warmly welcomed Myanmar refugees and created a situation where we can stay freely. They themselves went to other countries and told them to help Myanmar refugees and not to return Myanmar refugees to the country without safety. This is in accord with international law. It is found that they safeguard us by abiding by the international norms. However, the international organizations have no rights to officially enter either Mizoram State or India. For instance, the UNHCR is a major organization which is working for refugees. However, the UNHCR cannot perform its work here. We are worried about the availability of long-term assistance. I believe that the Mizoram state government shall have a concern. Nutrition needs are fixed for a person per year. However, we have no such plan. We are not talking about the homeless refugees in Myanmar. In the past, the UNHCR independently provided aid for the IDPs in Kachin State. We will distribute the items when there are donors. We will face hunger when there are no donors. We have to drink water as there are no food. As a result, we are worrying about our health. Our needs will be bigger in the long-term as we have to eat foods only when there are donors.
Q: What is your future dream after this revolution?
A: We will have to do a lot of rehabilitation work for the reconstruction of our country after the revolution. I want to play my role in these sectors as a staff. I want to play my part in the reconstruction period. So, this is the reason why I am seeking necessary capacity building from the available places. I don’t know whether I will reach the retirement age when the rehabilitation period is completed, and peace is restored to the country. If so, I will spend my life by reading books which is my hobby.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: I think at present, the revolutionary forces, CDM staff and logisticians are a little bit quiet. As long as this revolution takes a long period of time, I am very concerned that the people regard it as regular life and they are convenient. I would like to request all the people to play their parts in this revolution.
Sent by KMG