by Mungpi
Friday, 19 June 2009 22:22
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Sending birthday wishes to Aung San Suu Kyi on her 64th birthday, the U. S State Department on Thursday said the Nobel Peace Laureate continues to be the inspiration for those who support freedom and democracy in Burma and around the world.
The department’s spokesperson, in a statement, called on Burmese authorities to drop the “unjustified and indefensible charges” leveled against Aung San Suu Kyi regarding her current trial and to immediately release her.
Ian Kelly, a departmental spokesperson, said the U.S. is committed in its support for democratic change and progress in Burma, which Aung San Suu Kyi has dedicated her life to achieve.
“We, along with all of her admirers in Burma and abroad, look forward to the day when she will be able to celebrate her birthday in freedom,” Kelly aritculated.
On Friday, June 19, activists across the globe held prayer meetings, gatherings, solidarity concerts and protest rallies to mark the 64th birthday of Burma’s democracy icon, who is currently being detained in Rangoon’s Insein Prison.
The global outcry for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi has been joined by various campaign groups and individuals, including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, British Football star David Beckham, and popular singers and bands such as Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and U2 in addition to Hollywood star Julia Roberts and several other celebrities.
But sources said despite the mounting pressure the junta is determined to continue the current trial against Aung San Suu Kyi and sentence the pro-democracy leader to a prison term of at least up to three years, effectively keeping her out of the scheduled 2010 elections.
According to Win Tin, a veteran journalist and Central Executive Committee member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the junta will prolong the trial in order to attempt to ease growing international pressure and domestic unrest associated with the inevitable sentencing.
He said, “I think the recent visits by the military leaders to China are to seek the opinion of the Chinese. The junta only cares for the Chinese point of view and if the Chinese are alright with their idea, they will forge ahead.”
In recent weeks, Maung Aye and Shwe Mann, the second and third military strongmen in the junta’s hierarchy, have paid visits to China. Observers believe that while the trips could be to foster a stronger relationship between the countries, it could also be to focus on Aung San Suu Kyi and the present legal proceedings.
But Win Tin said the increasing pressure, particularly from the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Burma is a member, seems to have impacted the junta.
Nonetheless, Burma Campaign UK (BCUK), a group advocating for democracy and human rights in Burma, on Friday called on governments to turn their supporting voices into action.
Mark Farmaner, Director of BCUK, in a statement said, “The dictatorship will be counting on history repeating itself, with words failing to be turned into action.”
“It must be different this time, we need to see real pressure in terms of a global arms embargo, a U.N. investigation into crimes against humanity being committed in eastern Burma, and high level diplomacy,” urged Farmaner. “U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon must go ahead with his planned July visit to Burma. He must aim to get all political prisoners released.”
Friday, June 19, 2009
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