Thailand – ISP Myanmar, Sept. 09, 2026
On every birthday, Min Zin typically reflects back on his life’s journey and shares commemorative posts containing his deep thoughts on his social media. This year, we will not have the opportunity to read his new reflections. Spending his birthday silently in unseen darkness while being wrongfully detained is heartbreaking and deeply saddening for his family and friends.
September 9 is the birthday of Min Zin, co-founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar). Normally, on a day like this, Min Zin would be surrounded by warm wishes and heartfelt messages from those who love and respect him. This year, however, is different; he is currently in a place far removed from his family, colleagues and friends. On June 3, Min Zin was wrongfully detained by Chinese authorities while traveling to Kunming, China, to attend an academic seminar to which he had been invited.
On every birthday, Min Zin typically reflects back on his life’s journey and shares commemorative posts containing his deep thoughts on his social media. This year, we will not have the opportunity to read his new reflections. Spending his birthday silently in unseen darkness while being wrongfully detained is heartbreaking and deeply saddening for his family and friends.
On this “Min Zin’s birthday without him,” ISP-Myanmar would like to reshare the “Birthday Reflection” post written by Min Zin on September 9, 2022. By sharing this, we also remember and honor his intellectual guidance. We respectfully urge the Chinese authorities to facilitate Min Zin’s safe and prompt release. ISP-Myanmar hopes that he will be reunited with his family, colleagues, and friends in the near future.
