The story may seem straight out of a story book, but Burma's humanitarian icon and pro-democracy activist, Aung San Su Kyi, who has been living under house arrest, has gone to trial because an American man swam to her house and hid inside her home. Su Kyi, 63 is trialed for the violation of her parole and faces 5 years in prison for letting the man stay in her house for two nights. John Yettaw, the man from Missouri, is claimed to have put on home made flippers and swam illegally to Su Kyi's home- it wasn't his first time swimming there either. Last year, Yettaw allegedly swam to Su Kyi's home; Yettaw is looking at 6 years behind prison in one of the most corrupted countries in the world. Su Kyi's stay in prison would be very detrimental for the nation - not only is her health shaky, but if she were to go to prison, she would miss the reelections in Burma.
Who is Aung San Su Kyi ?
Aung San Su Kyi's name is synonymous with the word: hero. She has been compared to other great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Gandhi. A proponent of peace and of civil disobedience, TIME magazine named Su Kyi as one of the most influential people in the world. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, and today she is the only Nobel Peace Prize recipient in the world to be living under arrest. Under the rule of the militaristic regime in Myanmar, Su Kyi has been under house arrest for 13 years. Su Kyi struggled with the Burmese military's dictatorial ways through peaceful protests and demonstrations. She is the leader of Burma’s National League of Democracy ( NLD) and in 1989, Su Kyi won the elections in Burma. Although she won by a landslide, about 80% of the votes, the government said Su Kyi was disqualified from running since she was under house arrest.
Su Kyi is also the daughter of Burma’s General Aung San who was assassinated in 1947. Her father, Aung San had gotten Burma out of British rule in the 40’s. Both Su Kyi and her father Aung San are revered by the people of Burma, even today.
Who is John Yettaw?
There isn't much that people know about this man, except for the fact that he is from a fairly middle class family in Missouri. Yettaw swam to Su Kyi’s home, and it’s been reported that she begged him to leave. Complaining of cramps and sickness, Su Kyi let him stay and gave him food for 2 nights.
Yettaw’s neighbors and family described him as a nice, easy going guy, but many of Su Kyi’s supporters are angry, saying that Yettaw has no idea how much trouble he caused. Yettaw was hoping to write a book on “ heroism” and faith; his wife says Yettaw suffers from Post- traumatic disorder.
Many believe that Aung San Su Kyi’s trial is meant to confine her longer- it is just what the military junta wanted. The general election is next year, and Su Kyi would be imprisoned, if her verdict is guilty- meaning she would be disqualified to run for elections.
My friend asked me what I thought of John Yettaw and if I were angry that he trespassed Su Kyi’s house. My answer is: I don’t think he’s too smart. He didn’t think of the repercussions that would follow- not only for him, but to Aung San Su Kyi and the people of Burma. Su Kyi is more than just an icon to the Burmese people- they believe she is the one that would lead them to freedom.
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