Today, as the UN celebarates its 60th anniversary, and the world should have been able to mark vast advances in respect for human rights, Aung San Suu Kyi, the moral and political leader of the Burmese opposition, has been held in house arrest for a total of ten years since 1989. Even during her spells of relative freedom, she has suffered severe violations of her rights, including tight restrictions of movement. (24-OCT-05)

Sometimes, the restrictions of movement imposed on Aung San Suu Kyi has prevented her fom leaving the country, sometimes, she has not even been allowed to venture out of the Burmese capital, Rangoon. Today, the world’s most famous prisoner of conscience is prohibited from leaving her own house.

No family, no friends, no phone, no mail …
Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest is regularly extended, and the combined pressure of the Burmese people and international authorities and civil society organisations has led to nothing. Aung San Suu Kyi is totally isolated, without contact with her family, the democracy movement she once led or the Burmese people at large. Her phone line has been cut, she cannot receive visitors and her mail is not delivered.

Disrespect of democratic elections
 Despite being behind bars also in 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party won an overwhelming victory in Burma’s only elections since the military regime took control of the South East Asian country in 1962. That election result, undeniable with approximately 80 % of the votes, has never been respected. 

For more information on what you can do, please consult the link

http://www.burma.no/?module=displaystory&story_id=1159&section_id=99&format=html,

with suggestions developed by the Norwegian Burma Committee, a member organisation of the Norwegian Human Rights House in Oslo. Print the signature list, make family, friends and colleagues sign the petition ststing that enough is enough; that the situation in BUrma is long overdue for discussion in the UN Security Council. Fax the list to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, with copies to the UN Ambassadors of the five permanent member countries of the Security Council. Feel free to send a copy of your lists to the Norwegian BUrma Committee, at fax number +47 22 47 92 01.

Kind regards,
Marte Graff Jenssen

Information Officer
Den norske Burmakomité / The Norwegian Burma Committee

The Norwegian Human Rights House
Tordenskioldsgt. 6B, 0160 Oslo, Norway
Tel: + 47 – 22 47 92 37 I Fax: + 47 – 22 47 92 01
www.burma.no
“Counting the days”: Aung San Suu Kyi, 10 years in custody since 1989.