Global Day of Action for Aung San Suu Kyi – Monday 18th May

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As Aung San Suu Kyi is put on trial on Monday, demonstrations will take place in more than 20 cities, including London, Bangkok, Sydney, San Francisco, Pretoria, Perth, Ottawa, Tokyo, Melbourne, Canberra, Taipei, Toronto, Indiana, Barcelona, Paris, Stockholm, Barcelona, Boston, Cadiz, Sevilla, Washington DC, Kuala Lumpur and Oslo.

In London there will be a demonstration from 12noon – 1pm outside the Burmese Embassy, 19a Charles Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 4DX.

“We are demonstrating to show our support for Aung San Suu Kyi, and demand international action,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. “Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for more than 13 years. Enough is enough, she must be freed.”

Last Thursday Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma’s democracy movement, was taken to the notorious Insein Jail. She was charged with breaking the terms of her house arrest after an American man, John Yettaw, swam to her house and refused to leave. The dictatorship are using the visit as an opportunity to extend her detention, which was expected to expire this month. Her trial starts on Monday and she could face a further five years in detention.

Her current period of detention began in May 2003 after a convoy she was travelling in was ambushed by a regime militia. She escaped with her life but dozens of her supporters were killed.

“The trial is all about keeping any voices of dissent silent in the run up to rigged elections next year,” said Zoya Phan. “It exposes the lies the generals have been telling that elections next year will bring change. In fact, the election and constitution are all about keeping the generals in power.”

For more information contact Zoya Phan on 020 7324 4710

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