Dr. May Win Myint - Another Typical Case Tratto da http://www.geocities.com/gury4u/suukyi1.htm In October 1997, Dr. May Win Myint and some other NLD members went to the town of Mayangone to found a local NLD youth wing. The authorities prevented the meeting from taking place and stopped the NLD members before they could reach the office. That night military agents arrested her and seven other NLD members and accused them of disrupting the peace and stability of the country. They were denied access to legal counsel, and all were sentenced to 7 years in prison. Authocracy vs. Democracy Suu Kyi is well prepared intellectually, as can be verified reading an excerpt of her paper "Empowerment for Peace and Development", in which she rebukes the argument of the convenience of authoritarianism "for some particular countries." 2007 UPDATE SLORC changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), but its repressive policies and violation of human rights continue unabated. Suu Kyi, the leader of the Burmese (Myanmar) National League for Democracy (NLD), began her latest period under house arrest in May 2003 following a violent clash provoked by a pro-government mob attacking her supporters. It is Suu Kyi's third period of house arrest, and it shattered hopes that the SPDC was finally planning to embark on a genuine process of political reform. In December 2004 the Burmese generals arbitrarily prolonged the house arrest of Suu Kyi for another 12 months. Since 1989, she has been detained for more than ten years. The move prompted a wave of international condemnation, including U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. Even when released, her movements are restricted, and her followers arrested and often abused. On November 2005 Suu Kyi's detention was shamelessly extended for six months. The argument is the old, worn out one of "national security", normally used by authoritarian governments ...and which usually just means "ruler security." In 27 May 2006, the BBC reports that once again Burma's military rulers have arbitrarily extended the detention of Suu Kyi, even though UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had appealed to the head of Burma's military junta to free Ms Suu Kyi. "I am relying on you, General Than Shwe, to do the right thing," Mr Annan said, addressing the head of the junta. This time officials would not say how long her house arrest has been extended for. Government ministers from neighbours Thailand and Malaysia expressed their disappointment with the decision. "We would like to see Myanmar back in the realm of the international community, so progress in national reconciliation is something of importance," said the Thai Foreign Minister. Burma's neighbours criticize the ruling military, but also follow a policy of not intervening in their internal affairs. Chinese tolerance of the Burmese military regime is seen as the main limitation for international sanctions. Singapore has also tolerated the Burmese military regime. Can we say that authoritarianism and $$ come before the left or right convictions of governments? Washington has taken a "principled" stand toward Burma on human rights and democracy. But because it does not have any serious strategic or economic interests to be gained from Burma, U.S. strident calls for reforms and release of Aung San Suu Kyi have little credibility, -given Washington's poor record with international issues of human rights and democratization. Never the less, in September 2006 the US was able to put Myanmar in the UN Security Council agenda. The Security Council, unlike the UN General Assembly, can pass binding action that would require Burma's military regime to participate in talks with the UN and the democracy movement. But in Jan 12, 2007, China and Russia casted a double veto in the UN Security Council, to stop a US draft resolution calling for an end to human rights abuses in Burma. The draft resolution urged Burma's military rulers to end persecution of minorities and opposition groups, to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and for all political groups to operate freely. Suu Kyi vows to continue the fight for freedom until it is won. "We will continue with our efforts to bring democracy to Burma under all circumstances. Don't forget that in South Africa the ANC was declared an illegal organization for decades." As to the dangers ahead, she says: "SLORC/SPDC has been threatening to annihilate us for years. This is nothing new... We will go on. We believe in hoping for the best and preparing for the worst." IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW From http://www.myanmars.net/myanmar/mmvsbm.htm Locals call the country 'Myanmar' in their language since independence, even though early British called it 'Burma'. In 1989 SLORC changed the country's name officially to 'Myanmar' to synchronize it with the local language. ---------------- In Burma, the first part of some names may have the meaning of Mr. or Ms.: U for older men, Ko for younger men, and Daw for older women. Hence, Mr. Lun Gywe is addressed as U Lun Gywe. SOME INTERESTING LINKS with information from inside Burma Amnesty International ; Human Rights Watch ; http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/world/myanmar.htm ; Online Burma/Myanmar Library (excellent documentation); excellent directory about Burma/Myanmar current issues ; United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Myanmar (2004) ; (the above link is a local copy from http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs/GA2004-res(en).pdf) video of Suu Kyi in 2000 about Ten Years After The Elections [5 MB; 8 minutes] NOTE: GeoCities free hosting limits downloads of this video to aprox once per hour. Good luck! ; US Campaign for Burma Short biography, links for photos, speeches, books (via amazon), and support for Suu Kyi and democracy in Burma ; summarized news from recent years ; Myanmar's top enemies of democracy (Burma's hardline generals, BBC) ; The European Union's relations with Burma/Myanmar . Memorandum on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. Official version, from the Embassy of Myanmar in USA. An essay in cynicism? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ from http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/1991/kyi-bio.html Aung San Suu Kyi - Biography 1942: September. Marriage of Aung San, commander of the Burma Independence Army, and Ma Khin Kyi, senior nurse of Rangoon General Hospital. 1945: June 19. Aung San Suu Kyi born in Rangoon. 1947: July 19. General Aung San assassinated. Suu Kyi is two years old. 1960: Daw Khin Kyi appointed Burma's ambassador to India; Suu Kyi accompanies her mother. 1964-67: Oxford University, B.A. in philosophy, politics and economics (elected Honorary Fellow, 1990). Suu Kyi meets future husband Michael Aris, student of Tibetan civilization. 1969-71: Suu Kyi goes to New York for graduate study; joins U.N. 1972: Marries Michael Aris. 1973: First son Alexander born. 1977: Second son Kim born. 1984-5: Publishes "Aung San". For juvenile readers publishes "Let's Visit Burma" and books on Nepal and Bhutan. Appointed Visiting Scholar in Kyoto University. 1987: Fellowship at Indian Institute in Simla. Suu Kyi enrolls at London School of Oriental and African Studies to work on advanced degree. 1988: March 31. Mother suffers severe stroke. Suu Kyi takes plane next day to Rangoon to help care for Daw Khin Kyi. Stays in family home on University Avenue next to Inya Lake in Rangoon. Mother dies in December at age of 76. July 23. Resignation of General Ne Win, since 1962 military dictator of Burma. August 8. Mass uprising throughout country. Violent suppression by military kills thousands. August 15. Suu Kyi, in first political action, sends open letter to government, asking for formation of independent consultative committee to prepare multi-party elections. August 26. In first public speech, she addresses several hundred thousand people outside Shwedagon Pagoda, calling for democratic government. September 24. National League for Democracy (NLD) formed, with Suu Kyi general-secretary and a policy of non-violence and civil disobedience. October-December. Defying ban, Suu Kyi tours throughout Burma addressing large audiences. 1989: February 17. Suu Kyi prohibited standing for election. April 5. Incident in Irawaddy Delta when Suu Kyi courageously walks toward soldiers with rifles aiming at her. July 20. Suu Kyi placed under house arrest, without charge or trial. 1990: May 27. Despite detention of Suu Kyi, NLD wins election with 82% of parliamentary seats. SLORC refuses to allow installation of elected parliament. 1991: Nobel Committee announces Suu Kyi as winner of Peace Prize. 1995: July 10. SLORC releases Suu Kyi from house arrest after six years of detention. In the first months after detention was ended, she was able to speak to large gatherings of supporters outside her home, but this was stopped by SLORC. 1999: Michael Aris dies of prostate cancer in London. Burmese authorities prohibited him to visit Suu Kyi one last time; he had not seen her since 1995. The government always urged her to join her family abroad, but she would not be allowed to return. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FAIR USE NOTICE This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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