'2024/10/13'에 해당되는 글 2건

It all started with an email from Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, from Mustain Zahir, a Bangladeshi civil rights activist, to Go-Eun Lee, a South Korean social activist.

The two were classmates at the Graduate School of Sociology at Sungkonghoe University in Seoul, Korea. Mr. Zahir, an international student from Bangladesh received his degree in 2016, and then participated in a series of projects related to 518 Gwangju.

Ms. Lee, Go-Eun, who majored in social movements in Bangladesh, worked on research projects at the Swedish Institute for Policy Studies for two years, and returned to Korea to work as a social activist. She has been an active participant in the <Muyong Shin> campaign since 2023.

In the email, Zahir described the situation in Bangladesh and asked for help.

"I'm so delighted to share that finally we got rid of the despot reigning and ravaging Bangladesh for the last 15 years! Now, we are passing through a momentous change after the successful mass uprising on 5th August 2024 that forced the autocrat to resign and flee from the country. She is now hiding in India!

"The student-people led Monsoon revolution has presented us with a historic opportunity to reimagine and rewrite the formation of a new political chapter. As a civil rights activist, and your friend, I'm proud to share that I have been very active during the movement and coordinated the student leaders at the forefront of this revolution. It was the best experience of my life, even though I had to go through ordeals of security crackdown and nightmarish situations!

"Before she left the country in the span of one month, the tyrant killed nearly one thousand people, thousands were severely injured and many more of the protesters are still traumatized. We are trying to collect the names, document the stories and wish to preserve this glorious history of our democratic struggle."

Having witnessed that the citizens of South Korea impeached then-President Park Geun-hye in 2016, and being familiar with the pro-democracy protests and sacrifices of the people of Gwangju in 1980, Mr. Zahir described South Korea as the role model for Bangladesh to redesign its politics and society.

"As you know in Korea CSO played an important role in initiating institutional mechanisms to find truths, seek accountability and instill the spirit to nurture ethos and sensibilities for the generations to come."

Mr. Zahir seems to believe that Bangladesh's monsoon revolution should learn from South Korea's experience in order to avoid following in the footsteps of the Arab Spring that took place in the Middle East and North Africa a decade ago.

"Having this knowledge and exposure, I couldn’t think of any better place to seek advice and suggestions to undertake a formal approach for Bangladesh so that we can also begin a process to do similar work in preserving and cultivating the aspiration of the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for democracy, freedom and justice."

To facilitate the exchange and cooperation of citizens from both countries, Mr. Zahir asked for four things

1. It would be a great help, if PSPD/May18 or other like minded organizations come forward to help us make a systematic documentation of the events.

2. Korean Civil Society members and organizations can help us to pursue the truth and accountability measures in a structured way.

3. The May18 Memorial can come forward to help us build a collaborative Museum of democratic struggle and Monsoon Revolution in Bangladesh.

4. Inviting a group of young leaders in Korea to have an immersive orientation and practical knowhow for a week to share their experience and learn from Korean civil societies to know and do the above things.

After receiving the email, Ms. Lee, Go-Eun asked for help from Peace MOMO, the Democracy Movement Memorial Association, and Muyong Shin, and Muyong Shin agreed to invite two student representatives from Bangladesh to Korea.

Muyong Shin formed a sister organization, <Solidarity for Bangladesh>, led by Ms. Lee, Go-Eun, and asked her to be in charge of inviting student representatives of the Monsoon Revolution. With Mr. Zahir's help, Solidarity for Bangladesh selected two student representatives.

Ms. Samia Akther from Dhaka University (law, graduate school) and Mr. Rahman Johan from BRAC University (anthropology, photographer) are appointed. They have been leaders of the student movement during the Monsoon Revolution and will be visiting South Korea from November 4-11 with Mr. Zahir.

While Mr. Zahir will be visiting Korea at the invitation of the Democracy Movement Memorial Project, Ms. Samia Akter and Mr. Rahman Johan's invitation was supported by Solidarity for Bangladesh.

The cost of their visit was calculated to be 4.5 million won, including airfare and lodging, and <Solidarity for Bangladesh> started a fundraising campaign. It decided that it would be most meaningful to have Korean citizens sponsor their invitation.

This is how <Solidarity for Bangladesh> was formed, declared support for the Monsoon Revolution, and started fundraising activities.

We sincerely ask the citizens of the Republic of Korea to participate in the fundraising campaign with a donation of $10 (or more) so that Ms. Samia Aktor and Mr. Rahman Johan can visit Korea and fulfill their purpose. Thank you.

Fundraising Account: Kakao Bank, 7979-77-26093 (SFB, Ms. Lee, Go-Eun)

Fundraising Period: October 11, 2024 - November 3, 2024

Fundraising goal: 4.5 million won (7 days and 8 nights for two student representatives of the Monsoon Revolution)

Crowdfunding: https://www.ohmycompany.com/reward/15728

==================================

(Full text of Zahir's email)

Greetings from Bangladesh! Hope this email finds you well.

I'm so delighted to share that finally we got rid of the despot reigning and ravaging Bangladesh for the last 15 years! Now, we are passing through a momentous change after the successful mass uprising on 5th August 2024 that forced the autocrat to resign and flee from the country. She is now hiding in India!

The student-people led Monsoon revolution has presented us with a historic opportunity to reimagine and rewrite the formation of a new political chapter. As a civil rights activist, and your friend, I'm proud to share that I have been very active during the movement and coordinated the student leaders at the forefront of this revolution. It was the best experience of my life, even though I had to go through ordeals of security crackdown and nightmarish situations!

Before she left the country in the span of one month, the tyrant killed nearly one thousand people, thousands were severely injured and many more of the protesters are still traumatized. We are trying to collect the names, document the stories and wish to preserve this glorious history of our democratic struggle.

As you know in Korea CSO played an important role in initiating institutional mechanisms to find truths, seek accountability and instill the spirit to nurture ethos and sensibilities for the generations to come. Having this knowledge and exposure, I couldn’t think of any better place to seek advice and suggestions to undertake a formal approach for Bangladesh so that we can also begin a process to do similar work in preserving and cultivating the aspiration of the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for democracy, freedom and justice.

And, this will also be an occasion to renew people to people ties between Bangladesh and Korea. In this regard, I would like to request few things:

1. It would be a great help, if PSPD/May18 or other like minded organizations come forward to help us make a systematic documentation of the events.

2. Korean Civil Society members and organizations can help us to pursue the truth and accountability measures in a structured way.

3. The May18 Memorial can come forward to help us build a collaborative Museum of democratic struggle and Monsoon Revolution in Bangladesh.

4. Inviting a group of young leaders in Korea to have an immersive orientation and practical knowhow for a week to share their experience and learn from Korean civil societies to know and do the above things.

These are my preliminary thoughts; I can expand on, given the interest and scope to explore a partnership. Will appreciate your kind help and advice in this regard.

Best,

이 모든 일이 방글라데시의 수도 다카에서 보내온 이메일 한 통으로 시작됐습니다. 방글라데시의 민권운동가 머스테인 자히르(Mustain Zahir)씨가 한국의 사회 활동가 이고은 선생에게 보내온 이메일이었습니다.

두 사람은 성공회대학교 사회학과 대학원의 동학입니다. 2016년 학위를 받은 방글라데시 유학생 자히르씨는 518광주 관련 프로젝트에 참가한 바 있다고 합니다. 또 방글라데시 사회운동을 전공한 이고은 선생은 졸업 후 2년간 스웨덴의 정책연구소 프로젝트를 수행한 뒤, 한국으로 돌아와 사회활동가로 일하기 시작했고, 2023년부터는 <무용신> 활동에도 열성적으로 참여했습니다.

이메일에서 자히르씨는 방글라데시의 상황을 다음과 같이 묘사하면서 도움을 요청했습니다. (영어로 보내온 이메일은 한국어 식으로 의역됐고, 원문은 이 글의 맨 끝에 전재했습니다.)

“(방글라데시의 학생과 시민들이) 15년 통치로 방글라데시를 피폐시킨 독재자를 몰아낼 수 있었다는 소식을 전해 드리게 되어 기쁩니다. 우리는 2024년 8월5일 대규모 시위를 통해 권위주의 정부를 무너뜨렸고, 하시나 전총리가 방글라데시를 떠나 인도에 망명한 후, 우리는 역사적인 변화를 이루어 가고 있습니다.

“<몬순혁명>을 이끈 학생-시민들은 정치의 새 장을 열 수 있는 역사적인 기회를 만들었습니다. 민권운동가로서, 그리고 당신의 친구로서, 나도 이 혁명에 열성적으로 참가했고, 특히 이 혁명의 선봉에 선 학생 지도자들과 협력했습니다. 비록 당국의 보안단속을 피하면서 악몽 같은 상황을 견뎌야 했지만, 이 혁명은 제 인생 최고의 경험이었습니다.

“하시나 전총리는 방글라데시를 탈출하기 전까지 약 1개월 동안 1천여명의 시민을 사살했고, 수천명에게 중상을 입혔습니다. 시위에 참여한 많은 사람들도 트라우마에 시달리고 있습니다. 우리는 사상자들의 신원을 파악하고, 이들의 희생과 피해 정황을 기록함으로써, 영광의 역사로 전환되는 민주화 투쟁 과정을 밝히고 보존하려고 합니다.”

2016년 대한민국의 시민들이 당시 대통령 박근혜를 탄핵하는 과정을 목격하고, 1980년 광주시민들의 민주화 항쟁과 희생도 잘 알고 있는 자히르씨는 방글라데시의 정치와 사회를 새롭게 설계하기 위해 대한민국이 전범이 되고 있다고 설명했습니다.

“대한민국의 시민사회는 (518광주의) 진실을 밝히고, 책임 소재를 찾아내고, 다음 세대의 상식과 감성에 호소할 수 있는 정신을 일깨웠다고 생각합니다. 이 같은 한국의 경험을 잘 알고 있기에, 저는 앞으로 방글라데시가 나아갈 방향에 대한 조언을 얻기에 대한민국보다 더 좋은 곳이 없다고 생각합니다.”

자히르씨는 방글라데시의 몬순 혁명이 10여년 전 중동과 북아프리카에서 일어났던 아랍의 봄(Arab Spring)의 전철을 밟지 않기 위해 한국의 경험을 배워야 한다고 믿고 있는 것으로 보입니다. 이를 위해 그는 대한민국의 시민들이 방글라데시의 민주화 과정을 지지하고 연대함으로써 양국 시민운동이 교류하고 협력하는 계기가 될 것이라고 말했습니다.

“민주와 자유와 정의를 위해 최고의 희생을 바친 영웅들의 열망을 보존하고 고양하기 위해서 방글라데시와 대한민국의 시민들이 협력할 수 있다고 생각합니다. 이 같은 협력은 방글라데시와 대한민국 사이에 시민 연대를 새롭게 할 수 있는 기회가 될 것입니다.”

양국 시민의 교류와 협력을 위해 자히르씨는 다음과 같은 4가지 도움을 요청했습니다.

1. 참여연대나 518기념재단 등의 한국 단체들이 몬순 혁명 기록 작업에 도움을 주시면 큰 힘이 될 것입니다.

2. 한국의 시민들과 단체들이, 몬순혁명의 진실을 찾고 책임을 묻는 체계적인 방법을 자문해 주시면 큰 도움이 될 것입니다.

3. 518기념관의 경험을 통해 <몬순혁명> 민주화투쟁 기념관이 설립되도록 도와주시면 좋겠습니다.

4. <몬순혁명>의 젊은 지도자들을 약 1주일 동안이라도 한국에 초청해 주셔서 한국의 경험을 배우고 대한민국 시민들에게 <몬순혁명>에 대해 알릴 수 있는 기회를 주시면 좋겠습니다.

이메일을 받은 이고은 선생은 <피스모모>와 <민주화운동기념사업회>와 <무용신>에 도움을 요청했고, <무용신>은 이에 부응해 방글라데시의 학생대표 2명을 한국에 초청하기로 했습니다.

<무용신>은 이고은 선생을 대표로 한 자매단체 <방글라데시 연대>를 구성하고, 몬순혁명의 학생대표 초청을 담당해 주시도록 부탁했습니다. 자히르씨의 도움으로 <방글라데시 연대>는 2명의 학생대표를 선정했습니다.

다카 대학교의 여학생 사미아 악터(Samia Akther, 법학 대학원)씨와 브라크 대학교의 남학생 라흐만 조한(Rahman Johan, 인류학, 사진작가)씨가 그들입니다. 몬순혁명 동안 학생운동의 리더였던 이들은 자히르씨와 함께 11월4일부터 11일까지 한국을 방문하게 됩니다.

자히르씨는 <민주화운동기념사업회>의 초청으로 방한하게 되지만, 사미아 악터씨와 라흐만 조한씨의 초청은 <방글라데시 연대>가 지원하기로 했습니다.

이들의 방한 경비는 항공료와 체재비를 포함 450만원으로 계산되었고, <방글라데시 연대>는 이 경비를 마련하기 위해 모금 운동을 시작했습니다. 이들의 초청비용을 대한민국 시민들의 후원으로 마련하는 것이 가장 뜻이 깊겠다고 판단했기 때문입니다.

이상이 <방글라데시 연대>가 구성되고 몬순혁명 지지를 선언하고 모금활동을 시작하게 된 경과입니다. 부디 대한민국의 시민들께서, 사미아 악터씨와 라흐만 조한씨가 한국을 방문해 소기의 목적을 달성할 수 있도록, 1인1만원(이상)으로 모금운동에 참여해 주시기를 간곡히 부탁드립니다. 감사합니다.

후원계좌: 카카오뱅크, 7979-77-26093 (방글라데시 연대, 이고은)

모금기간: 2024년 10월11일-11월3일

모금목표: 450만원 (몬순혁명 학생대표 2명의 7박8일 방한 경비)

크라우드 펀딩: https://www.ohmycompany.com/reward/15728

==================================================

(자히르씨의 이메일 전문)

Greetings from Bangladesh! Hope this email finds you well.

I'm so delighted to share that finally we got rid of the despot reigning and ravaging Bangladesh for the last 15 years! Now, we are passing through a momentous change after the successful mass uprising on 5th August 2024 that forced the autocrat to resign and flee from the country. She is now hiding in India!

The student-people led Monsoon revolution has presented us with a historic opportunity to reimagine and rewrite the formation of a new political chapter. As a civil rights activist, and your friend, I'm proud to share that I have been very active during the movement and coordinated the student leaders at the forefront of this revolution. It was the best experience of my life, even though I had to go through ordeals of security crackdown and nightmarish situations!

Before she left the country in the span of one month, the tyrant killed nearly one thousand people, thousands were severely injured and many more of the protesters are still traumatized. We are trying to collect the names, document the stories and wish to preserve this glorious history of our democratic struggle.

As you know in Korea CSO played an important role in initiating institutional mechanisms to find truths, seek accountability and instill the spirit to nurture ethos and sensibilities for the generations to come. Having this knowledge and exposure, I couldn’t think of any better place to seek advice and suggestions to undertake a formal approach for Bangladesh so that we can also begin a process to do similar work in preserving and cultivating the aspiration of the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for democracy, freedom and justice.

And, this will also be an occasion to renew people to people ties between Bangladesh and Korea. In this regard, I would like to request few things:

1. It would be a great help, if PSPD/May18 or other like minded organizations come forward to help us make a systematic documentation of the events.

2. Korean Civil Society members and organizations can help us to pursue the truth and accountability measures in a structured way.

3. The May18 Memorial can come forward to help us build a collaborative Museum of democratic struggle and Monsoon Revolution in Bangladesh.

4. Inviting a group of young leaders in Korea to have an immersive orientation and practical knowhow for a week to share their experience and learn from Korean civil societies to know and do the above things.

These are my preliminary thoughts; I can expand on, given the interest and scope to explore a partnership. Will appreciate your kind help and advice in this regard.

Best,