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.
PROTEST AT BURMESE EMBASSY – LONDON
Friday 17th June, 12-2pm, 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.
“We are making sure the regime knows that the world is watching them, and is supporting Aung San Suu Kyi’, said John Jackson, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. “World leaders must do more to support Aung San Suu Kyi. It is not enough just to pay tribute to her, they need to start listening to her as well, and take concrete political and economic action against the regime.”
OTHER FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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.
Contact: Shona Cameron, City of Edinburgh Council 0131 529 4452.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
BURMESE COMMUNITY HOLD BIRTHDAY PARTY
Saturday 18th June. London. 5.30pm The Burmese community in London are holding a birthday party for Aung San Suu Kyi. Invitation only, but media welcome to attend to film or interview community. Exiled Burmese Buddhist monk U Uttara is hosting the event.
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
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