When: Friday, 18. June 2010 12.00
To: Friday, 18. June 2010
Where: London, Burmese Embassy, 19A Charles Street, W1J 5DX
Host: English PEN
Contact: (020 7324 2535)
More info: www.englishpen.org/events/penevents/aungsansuukyis65thbirthdaydemonstration/
We will be calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and of all those detained in violation of their right to free expression in Burma. Please bring birthday cards addressed to Aung San Suu Kyi.
We hope that many of you will come along and lend your support to the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner and the many others who languish in prisons across Burma.
Background:
Aung San Suu Kyi, co-founded the National League for Democracy (NLD), a pro-democracy political party that sought to counter the military junta that had reigned over Myanmar since 1962. In 1990, the NLD won over 80 percent of the parliamentary seats in a general election. Surprised at the landslide victory, the military junta refused to transfer power to Suu Kyi and the NLD, and jailed scores of political activists.
For 14 of the past 20 years, Suu Kyi has endured unofficial detention, house arrest and restrictions on her movement. She continues to be held under house arrest in Yangon, in violation of her right to free expression.
