PRESS RELEASE
protest meeting Calls for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Indian Government criticized for silence on recent political events in Burma.
“The government of India (GOI) is maintaining a shameful silence on the continued incarceration of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi” according to eminent citizens at a well attended public meeting in the capital today. 27th May, 2009 is the very day that Aung San Suu Kyi should have been released from house arrest. Instead of which she is lodged at the notorious Insein Jail.
The recipient of Nobel Peace Prize (1991) and Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding (1993), Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for 13 of the last 19 years, and just prior to her last term coming to an end, the military junta arrested her on a fraudulent charge of violating the conditions of her house arrest.
Leaders and governments the world over have issued statements condemning the utterly undemocratic and inhuman treatment meted out to Aung San Suu Kyi by the Burmese Government. However, India, the largest democracy in the world and significant neighbour has chosen to remain silent.
The GOI is abdicating its responsibility to raise its voice at this critical juncture.” Said Former MP, Surendra Mohan, speaking at the meeting titled ‘Voices from India for freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi’.
Actor-Director Nandita Das added that “there is an urgency with which we need to act. From the ecology to economy to political freedoms, the destinies of India and Burma are interlinked.”
Despite his frail health, former Defence Minister and long time supporter of the Burmese cause, George Fernandes also attended the meeting. In a statement, he said, “If we are not to make a mockery of our beliefs and the highest award we conferred upon Aung San Suu Kyi more than a decade ago, we must immediately put diplomatic and public pressure to release her.”
Among the Burmese people at the meeting Dr Tint Swe, Member of Parliament, NCGUB pointed out that so far only one Indian Parliamentarian has spoken out against the arrest of Daw Suu. In a country of 1.2 billion people, many more Indians need to speak out.
Thin Thin Aung, Board member, Women’s League of Burma asserted that restoration of democracy in Burma is in India’s own political and economic interest.
Among other eminent speakers, film maker and writer, Sagari Chabbra spoke of the pervasive surveillance and repression all over Burma. G. Debaranjan, All India Forward Bloc, talked of the urgent need for political mobilization to free Daw Suu and other political prisoners, as well as for the restoration of democracy in Burma.
Former President, Samata Party, Jaya Jaitly, urged the gathering to pressurize current Parliamentarians and compel the GOI to act. She called upon Nobel Laureates from all over the world to speak out against the travesty of justice in Burma.
Film maker and political activist Amar Kanwar focused on the critical role that the media must play to raise public awareness of the horrors of what is happening in Burma.
A statement (attached), signed by over 150 organisations and individuals calling for immediate unconditional release of Daw Suu, and for the GOI to immediately break its silence was also released on the occasion.
Media contact:
Achan Mungleng – 9868240809 – amungleng@gmail.com
Bipin – 9868280198 – campaigns@theothermedia.org
Vani Subramanian – 9891128911 - saheliwomen@gmail.com
Htun Htun – 9891280954 - htunsurte@burmacentredelhi.org
Kim – 9810476273 - kim@burmacentredelhi.org
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Burma Centre Delhi (BCD)
office@burmacentredelhi.org
www.burmacentredelhi.org
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