On Sunday 19th June 2005 Aung San Suu Kyi will be 60 years old. It will be her 3,523rd day in detention (9 years & 238 days). There is currently no prospect of her being released.
To coincide with the birthday, the Burma Campaign UK and other Burma campaign groups around the world are organising a campaign calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Activities include:
- Delegation of women politicians and celebrities to meet Tony Blair.
- MTV campaign to free Suu Kyi.
- Freedom of the City of Edinburgh – events held in Edinburgh.
CALENDER OF ACTION:
SEND A BIRTHDAY CARD TO SUU KYI
Global – send a birthday card to Aung San Suu Kyi at her home in Burma. Address: 54 University Avenue, Bahan 11201, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). Aung San Suu Kyi’s high profile is one of the things that has kept her alive, but there are growing concerns for her safety. The birthday cards will probably be intercepted by the regime, but the generals will know that the world is watching, and that will help to keep her safe.
TONY BLAIR MEETS DELEGATION FOR SUU KYI
10th June, London. Prime Minister Tony Blair will receive a letter from a delegation of high profile women calling on him to do all he can to secure Suu Kyi’s release. The delegation is being organised by Glenys Kinnock MEP.
MTV FREE AUNG SAN SUU KYI CAMPAIGN
8/9 June 2005. Global music television broadcaster MTV relaunch their campaign to free Aung San Suu Kyi. MTV will be running two on-air awareness spots in support of Suu Kyi. The promos will direct people tohttp://www.mtvburmaaction.com where they can send emails to the regime, demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
PARLIAMENTARY RECEPTION
Thursday 16th June. London. The All Party-Parliamentary Group for Democracy in Burma will hold a ‘reception’ for Aung San Suu Kyi in the House of Commons. Invitation only. Media welcome.
PROTESTS AT BURMESE EMBASSIES
Friday 17th June, 12-2pm, London. Demonstration at Burmese Embassy, 19a Charles St, London. Nearest tube Green Park. Demonstration organised by Burma Campaign UK, Burmese Democratic Movement, Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Demonstrations will also be held outside 15 other Burmese embassies and consulates around the world, including United States, France, Italy, South Africa, Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Switzerland and Thailand.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY – EDINBURGH
Saturday 18th June: Edinburgh. The City of Edinburgh Council will hold a ceremony to award Aung San Suu Kyi Freedom of the City. There will be a presentation at 11am, a tree planting ceremony at 1pm, and public events in the afternoon.
ARREST YOURSELF – USA ACTION
19 June 60 individuals have pledged to “arrest themselves” at home for 24 hours in solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi. While at home, they will host “House Arrest Parties” to raise awareness and funds for the international struggle for human rights and democracy in Burma. The US Campaign for Burma has also collected thousands of Birthday cards for Aung San Suu Kyi.
DAMIEN RICE SINGLE FOR SUU KYI, PLUS WEBSITE AND BENEFIT
SINGLE: Monday 20th June. Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan release ‘Unplayed Piano’ as a single in support of the Free Aung San Suu Kyi 60th Birthday Campaign. Proceeds will go to Burma Campaign UK and US Campaign for Burma.
BENEFIT: Also on 20th June; benefit at the London Palladium. SOLD OUT. Proceeds go to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
WEBSITE: From June 1 Damien Rice fans and others individuals who wish to register their support and take part in the Free Aung San Suu Kyi 60th Birthday Campaign can go to http://www.actionburma.com
OTHER EVENTS
- European Parliament reception for Aung San Suu Kyi. 7th & possibly 8th June. Details TBC.
- TBC. Article 19 panel discussion for Aung San Suu Kyi. 22nd or 23rd June.
- The organisation WITNESS, founded by musician Peter Gabriel, will release a new film on the plight of internally displaced persons in eastern Burma.
- The city and county of San Francisco have officially declared June 19th “Aung San Suu Kyi Day”. The cities of Berkeley and San Jose are considering similar measures.
- In the United States, the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and leading US Senators will host an event dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi.
- Penguin will be re-promoting two books by Aung San Suu Kyi, ‘Freedom from Fear’ and ‘Letters from Burma’.
ABOUT AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Aung San Suu Kyi has been in and out of detention since 1989. She was held under house arrest from 1989-1995, and again from 2000-2002. She was again arrested in May 2003 after the Depayin massacre, during which up to 100 of her supporters were beaten to death by the regime’s militia. She is currently under house arrest in Rangoon.
Fears for Aung San Suu Kyi’s safety have been growing since a government reshuffle in October 2004, in which hardliners seized control of key government posts. General Soe Win, the mastermind behind the 30th May 2003 massacre, has been promoted to the post of Prime Minister. Since then the military dictatorship has been intensifying its isolation of Aung San Suu Kyi. She is allowed no visitors, her phone line has been cut, post intercepted, and National League for Democracy volunteers providing security at her compound have been removed.
A full profile is available at:http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/aboutburma/aung_san_suu_kyi.htm
For more information contact Mark Farmaner, Burma Campaign UK, Media Manager, on 020 7324 4713