On Friday 10th June at 2pm 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 led by Glenys Kinnock MEP. Other members of the delegation include Prunella Scales, Jo Brand, and Marie O’Riordan, editor of Marie Claire.
The event is part of a global campaign timed to coincide with Aung San Suu Kyi’s 60th birthday on Sunday 19th June.
“Aung San Suu Kyi stands firm against one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world, and strikes fear into their hearts,” said Glenys Kinnock MEP. “On June 19th, she will spend her 60th birthday in her home, with no visitors, no telephone line and guarded by barbed wire and armed patrols. The world has stood idly by for too long. It is time for action. Unless there is concerted pressure on the regime, Aung San Suu Kyi could spend the rest of her life in detention. The Prime Minister will have to use his influence to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, and all political prisoners in Burma.”
As Aung San Suu Kyi turns 60, she will be spending her 3,523rd day in detention (9 years & 238 days). There is currently no prospect of her being released.
Jo Brand said: “This brave and determined woman is taking on one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world. She has asked for our support, and she must get it.”
Vera Baird MP said: “Aung San Suu Kyi is a hugely brave and stalwart woman. I know the menace which flows from this vile dictatorship towards her, yet she holds firm and inspires hope in her long-suffering peoples. We wish her a birthday understanding of how well revered she is worldwide. We send her a pledge to redouble our efforts to free her and to bring democracy and human rights her beloved land.”
“Aung San Suu Kyi is the Nelson Mandela of Asia,” said Anna Roberts, Campaigns Manager at the Burma Campaign UK, and a member of the delegation. “We need to see a global effort to free Aung San Suu Kyi and bring democracy to Burma in the same way the world rallied against Apartheid in South Africa.”
Delegation member Dr Khin Wynn Nwe, of Women of Burma UK said: “We are really pleased that Tony Blair is receiving this delegation on behalf of Aung San Suu Kyi and we hope he will take concrete action for freedom and democracy in Burma.”
FULL LIST OF DELEGATES
Glenys Kinnock MEP
Vera Baird MP, Chair All-Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy In Burma
Prunella Scales, Actress
Jo Brand, Comedian
Marie O’Riordan, Editor, Marie Claire
Anna Roberts, Campaigns Manager, Burma Campaign UK
Khin Wynn Nwe, Women of Burma UK
Nita Yin Yin May, Women of Burma UK
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
OTHER EVENTS FOR THE 60TH BIRTHDAY CAMPAIGN
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, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma).
MTV FREE AUNG SAN SUU KYI CAMPAIGN
Joint campaign by Burma Campaign UK and MTV. 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 from 2-4pm. Invitation only. Media welcome.
Contact: Mark Farmaner, Burma Campaign UK, 020 7324 4713, mobile 07941239640.
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.
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.
For more information contact Mark Farmaner, Burma Campaign UK, Media Manager, on 020 7324 4713.