From Manila to New York, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday was celebrated and renewed calls for a free and democratic Burma were made.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was “deeply concerned” that Ms Suu Kyi was still under house arrest.
“I have been persistently, consistently demanding that all the political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be released without condition as soon as possible, so that they would be able to participate in the political process,” he said.
Messages of support from around the world have also been posted on Facebook and other social networking websites.
Free, free Aung San Suu Kyi!
The day started at the Rafto Human Rights House, where appeals were made by the Burmese community, representative from the Rafto Foundation and Amnesty International Region West.
A group of about 30 people then gathered at the UN Human Rights Plaza outside of the Rafto Human Rights House, where a prayer of 65 words was given for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
A representative from the United Nations Association of Norway gave an appeal, before the demonstrators marched from the Plaza via city centre to Bergen City Hall.
The paroles of the demonstration was a demand to free all political prisoners in Burma, including
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, no to the upcoming elections and no to Burma developing nuclear weapons.
Letter of concern
At the City Hall, the Burmese community delivered an invitation to the leader of the Bergen City Council, Monica Mæland, to meet with representatives from the Bergen Burmese community.
Exile Burmese wish to share with local politicians their concerns in regards to the upcoming elections, as well as for the 150 million kroner Norway gave in humanitarian aid to Burma in 2009.
While the support is much needed for Burma’s population, the Burmese in exile share Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s concern that great portions of this money may find their way in to the pockets of the military junta.
They have therefore written a letter to the Norwegian government, urging them to make sure that the humanitarian aid is spent in a way that is transparent, responsible and accountable, which is also the advice given by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The day ended at the Rafto Human Rights House with a feast of Burmese food.
Background
The Burmese community of Bergen arranges a demonstration every year on 19 June where they demand Aung San Suu Kyi’s release. Aung San Suu Kyi received the Rafto 
Prize in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.
2010 is very important year to Burmese people. The ruling junta has announced elections this year, but a large part of the democracy movement has rejected the elections on the basis of the Constitution that was forced through a referendum in May 2008, which gives the junta control of both process and outcome.
On the occasion of Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday, Index of Censorship republished an article she wrote in honour of her father Aung San, which first appeared in the January 1992 edition of Index on Censorship magazine.
HRH Bergen, based on Rafto Foundation (see here) and Index on Censoship (see here) and BBC (see here) information.
Related links:
Bergen Burma community’s appeal to Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Burma: 2010 elections will define the political landscape for years to come
EU mission to Burma – new approach to press ruling junta to adopt democracy?
