A Chin human rights and democracy activist has been awarded the St. Stephen’s human rights award by the Norwegian Mission to the East (NMTE), a human rights group in Norway for "outstanding contribution to human rights, reconciliation and religious freedom in Burma."

Chin human rights activist Mr. Victor Biak Lian (45) has been involved in Burma's pro-democracy movement for 22 years. He actively took part in the student-led nation-wide uprising in 1988, and subsequently fled to India following the brutal crackdown that left over 3000 dead in Burma according to Chinland Guardian news.

"My involvement in this struggle began from the streets of Adihpadih Road of Rangoon University Main Campus in 1988. I later became a guerrilla fighter in the jungles and then an advocate for human rights. But I regard myself as an activist, who still fights against the military dictatorship in Burma," Victor recalled his experience in a 2006 interview with Chinland Guardian.

He lost his brother in the revolutionary movement of Chin people. Now Victor is a member of the Board of Directors of Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), a Canada-based advocacy group working to promote the rights of one of Burma's most oppressed ethnic groups. His other involvements include working with the Chin Forum, the National Reconciliation Program (NRP) and the Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC).

“He is worthy of the award and we are very proud of him,” said a member of Chin National Council.

On 9 November Victor Biak Lian will be given the St. Stephen award in Oslo, Norway.
Meanwhile, Chin people in Norway are gearing up for a program when Victor arrives in Norway, it is learnt.

“God has never forsaken us, it is reflected in Victor Biak Lian’s award,” said a Chin religious leader.

The Norwegian Mission to the East is a missionary human rights organization that specializes in religious freedom. It is working to provide support, care and help to people and churches around the world, which are persecuted or oppressed because of their Christian faith.