WASHINGTON — In a message marking Friday’s birthday of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the US State Department says the 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate inspires all who support freedom and democracy.
Politicians, human rights activists and personalities from across the United States joined the State Department in congratulating Suu Kyi and calling on the regime to halt her trial and release her.
Protesters places a birthday cake in-between the words 'Not Guilty' during their picket outside the Burmese Embassy at Manila financial district of Makati city, Philippines, to mark the 64th birthday of jailed Burmese Nobel Peace laureate. (Photo: AP)
Politicians, human rights activists and personalities from across the United States joined the State Department in congratulating Suu Kyi and calling on the regime to halt her trial and release her.
Protesters places a birthday cake in-between the words 'Not Guilty' during their picket outside the Burmese Embassy at Manila financial district of Makati city, Philippines, to mark the 64th birthday of jailed Burmese Nobel Peace laureate. (Photo: AP)
“We call on the Burmese authorities to drop those charges and release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately,” said State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly.
Sadly, though, she will once again spend her birthday in confinement–isolated from her family, friends and the Burmese people–as Burmese authorities pursue unjustified and indefensible charges against her, Kelly said.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the continued detention of Suu Kyi deserved the full condemnation of the international community.
“A clear message must be sent that Aung San Suu Kyi and all other prisoners of conscience in Burma must be released, immediately and unconditionally,” she said.
“Aung San Suu Kyi has made every conceivable sacrifice that could be asked from any leader. She has seen her supporters beaten, tortured and killed yet she has never responded to hatred and violence in kind. All she has ever asked for is peaceful dialogue and to play a role in the future of her country,” Pelosi said.
Supporters of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi release birds to celebrate her birthday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 19. (Photo: Reuters)
In a 64-word message posted on the Web site www.64forsuu.org, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, along with actors Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Daniel Craig and football star David Beckham said: “We must not stand by as she is silenced again. Now is the time for the international community to speak with one voice: Free Aung San Suu Kyi.”
In another message on the newly-created site, women who have also won the Nobel Peace Prize—Maired Maguire, Betty Williams, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi and Wangari Maathai—demanded Suu Kyi’s immediate release.
“Detained against Burma’s own laws, your imprisonment and trial are a stark illustration of the brutality and lawlessness of the Burmese military regime, which holds over 2,000 democracy activists in prison,” they wrote. “We look forward to a day when you are finally free.”
Canada’s Foreign Minister, Lawrence Cannon, also sent a birthday message to Suu Kyi, saying: “Aung San Suu Kyi, your continued, unjust and unwarranted detention illustrates the complete disregard that the Burmese military junta has for human rights and democratic freedoms.
“On your 64th birthday, Canada commends you on your ongoing struggle to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and commits to continue advocating for your release and that of all political prisoners in Burma.”
Meanwhile European Union leaders are set to make a 64-word call Friday for the release of Burma's pro-democracy icon as she celebrates her 64th birthday behind bars.
"The European Council calls for the immediate unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has tirelessly defended the universal values of freedom and democracy," said the statement, to be released at the end of a two-day summit in Brussels.
"Unless she is released, the credibility of the 2010 elections will be further undermined and the EU will respond with appropriate measures," said the statement.
"We urge Myanmar (Burma) to embark on a genuine transition to democracy bringing peace and prosperity to its people."
