Suu Kyi is Free, but what about Burma?
15/11/2010 11:37:39 AM
Act for Peace welcomes the release of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but we are still fighting for the freedom of Burma's 55 million citizens.
"Burma itself is like a virtual prison," said Act for Peace Executive Director, Alistair Gee. "Until its citizens have basic human rights, such as freedom of movement, freedom of speech and freedom to live in dignity, it is like the entire country languishes under house arrest by the military junta."
Yesterday, huge crowds gathered outside the home where Suu Kyi has spent 15 of the past 21 years. Defiant as ever, Suu Kyi stated simply, "If the people are not free, I am not free."
It is believed Suu Kyi will travel around the country, meeting with her supporters and encouraging a new democracy movement within the country.
While the military regime recently held elections which saw them come back in with a clear majority, the elections were criticised as neither free nor fair, particularly as Suu Kyi was not running. It is believed voter turn out was only around 20 percent, with voters staying away from the ballot boxes because Suu Kyi asked them to.
