Dr. Ko Tayzar San
Dr. Ko Tayzar San is a prominent Burmese physician, activist, and a leading figure in Myanmar’s ongoing pro-democracy movement, often referred to as the “Spring Revolution.” He is widely recognized for organizing the first public anti-coup protest in Mandalay on February 4, 2021, just days after the military junta’s coup on February 1. This demonstration marked the beginning of a nationwide resistance against the military regime.
🩺 Early Life and Career
Born in 1988 in a remote village in Sagaing Region, Dr. Tayzar San developed an early passion for reading, inspired by his father’s clandestine listening to foreign radio broadcasts. His father, a schoolteacher, had previously participated in anti-junta protests as a young monk. Growing up in an environment filled with books on politics and history, Dr. Tayzar San aspired to become a librarian.
Despite his initial inclination towards librarianship, he pursued a medical degree at the University of Medicine in Mandalay. After graduation, he worked as a volunteer doctor and librarian, focusing on public health and political education. In 2010, he founded the Beautiful Mind Foundation, providing free healthcare services to the underprivileged. Additionally, he served as the executive director of the Yone Kyi Yar Knowledge Propagation Society, a local research and parliamentary monitoring group.
✊ Role in the Spring Revolution
Following the military coup in February 2021, Dr. Tayzar San emerged as a central figure in the anti-junta movement. On February 4, he led the first public protest in Mandalay, a bold act of defiance that inspired similar demonstrations across the country. Despite facing threats of arrest and violence, he continued to organize protests and advocate for the restoration of democracy.
The military junta issued an arrest warrant for Dr. Tayzar San on April 19, 2021, charging him with defamation under Section 505(a) of the penal code and offering a 10 million kyat reward for information leading to his arrest. In response, he has remained in hiding, continuing his activism from various locations. His efforts have garnered international recognition, including the Park Jong-cheol Human Rights Award in June 2021.
🌍 Advocacy and International Engagement
Dr. Tayzar San has been an outspoken critic of foreign interference in Myanmar’s revolution. In September 2024, he rejected China’s pressure on Myanmar’s resistance groups to halt their activities, asserting that the movement for democracy would not be deterred. He emphasized that Myanmar’s fate should be determined by its own people and criticized China’s support for the military dictatorship.
📚 Legacy and Impact
Dr. Tayzar San’s unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and his role in igniting the Spring Revolution have made him a symbol of hope and resilience for many in Myanmar. His leadership continues to inspire both domestic and international efforts toward achieving a democratic and federal Myanmar.