Dear Friends and Colleagues,This Friday, October 24th will mark several key events, most prominently a cumulation of 13 years that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since Burma’s military junta first imprisoned her in 1990. Yesterday, Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (Altsean-Burma) released a briefer titled "13 years is too long: Free Daw Suu now", that profiles the experiences of Daw Aung Suu
Kyi and some of the 178 female political prisoners. To download the briefer click HERE. Ironically, the international community will also celebrate two other occasions on this day. October 24th is United Nations’ day, and this year will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the UN charter.
This day aims to promote the goals and achievements of the United Nations. Two weeks ago, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated in a press conference, that unless there were tangible results of progress from the military junta, such as the release of all political prisoners especially Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, he may not make his expected trip to Burma in December.
The UN has continually expressed its frustrations with Burma's military regime's undemocratic movements and human rights violations, but continues to remain stagnant in regards to viable action.
Moreover, October 24th is the day leaders from Asia and Europe will gather in Beijing, China for the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM), which could be a key time for European leaders to engage with Asian leaders about democratic change in Burma.There will be two major demonstrations happening in Washington DC and London calling from the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners on October 24th.
The groups organizing the protests decided to hold them in front of Chinese embassies, since China is the main supporter of Burma's military regime and responsible for blocking effective UN action.
Washington DC U.S. Campaign for Burma Demonstration Chinese Embassy (2300 Connecticut Ave NW), 5:00pm
LondonCoalition of Campaign Groups and Burmese Community Organizations in the UK Demonstration Chinese Embassy (49 Portland Place), 12:00-1:00pm 13 people wearing Aung San Suu Kyi face masks will hand a giant key in to the Chinese Embassy, representing the key to freedom that world leaders hold, if they work together to pressure the regime.
The key will have the names and pictures of Burma's 2,120 political prisoners on it.
In Solidarity,
Burma Partnership Secretariat
