The woman, leader of the Burmese opposition party, is still under house arrest. Over 300 people mark her birthday at the headquarters of the National League for Democracy in Yangon; demonstrations in Indian, Japan, Thailand and the USA.

Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Yet another birthday spent under house arrest for Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Burmese opposition, symbol of the fight for democracy in Myanmar.  Over 300 people gathered to celebrate the 62nd birthday of the activist and Noble peace prize winner at the headquarters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Yangon, headed by Suu Kyi, and winners by a landslide majority of elections in 1990, only to see victory denied by the military junta.  Her supporters worldwide will mark today’s anniversary to bring Suu Kyi’s situation to the public’s attention and to demand respect for human rights in former Burma.  The NLD is also demanding the woman’s release along with 1,100 political detainees in the country; among them 56 women.

In Bangkok at least 200 Burmese women are gathering in prayer and peaceful protest for Suu Kyi. Other protest marches will take place in the USA, India, Japan, Canada and South Korea.  In Myanmar every day those who pray or protest for “The Lady” – as Aung San Suu Kyi is called– are arrested.  In the last month alone there have been 99 registered cases.

The Noble has spent 11 of the last 18 years of her life in prison or under house arrest, denied all contact with the outside world, including a telephone line or personal visits.  Only her doctor is allowed to see her.  Her detention in her home in Yangon, on Lake Inya, has recently been extended by a year, despite international calls for her immediate release.

 

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