‘Commemorate her Birthday by Continuing her Fight’

June 19, 2008

By HURFOM:

Longtime fighter for justice and freedom in Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi turned 63 today, June 19^th. Inside Burma secret birthday celebrations will be held on her behalf across the country, as the Junta continues to detain her under house arrest.

Outside of Burma though many people of Burma now living in exile forgot the Nargis disaster for a brief moment today in a solemn celebration of her birthday, lighting candles in hope for her freedom. One group of people markedly not celebrating her birthday is the Burmese Military Government. The regime primary care is power, so they fear her Suu Kyi as a leader of the country’s democratic movement in Burma.

Her detention was recently renewed once again, despite worldwide calls for the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to be released. This call also comes alongside one of political reform in the Southeast Asian nation; both calls were readily and repeatedly refused.

Many people inside Burma have not seen Suu Kyi for many years, and must rely on old photographs to remember her while reading her speeches and they following her non-violent rules. Many feel proud of her, and maintain her beliefs faithfully by sacrificing their lives to the ongoing struggle for justice and freedom. Many believe that Suu Kyi is in their hearts, so although detained she is able to continue to lead the movement.

But General Than Shwe, the head of the regime, does not think so highly of her. In his ongoing struggle to be King of Burma he attempts to destroy every image of Suu Kyi. To be a king, he knows he must destroy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and subsequently the struggle for democracy.

General Than Shwe does not want her standing in front of a crowd of Burmese people, giving a speech and reminding the people of her father. Suu Kyi’s father, Aung San, also worked hard for Burma’s independence. There were some people who did not approve of him standing in front of the Burmese people; before he was assassinated he was brave for his country. His daughter is brave for Burma now.

The Junta remains highly fearful of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s potential political strength, as they still hold talk and meetings with her National League for Democracy party (NLD). But there is no question about whether the Junta will allow the talks to initiate true change; they will not, because these meetings are token efforts only and serve only to ease international pressure on the Junta.

General Than Shwe knows the world will continue to push democracy, as more and more countries follow the model of democratic society. This only strengthens his resolve to keep Suu Kyi under house arrest in the hope of preventing her from ever leading Burma.

He will try to destroy her, even if it means destroying the image of Burma’s father. The people of Burma must not let this happen, and they have a hope. Aung San and Suu Kyi are at the heart of the revolution to topple the Junta. Remembering this and continuing to strive for it is the best way to celebrate the birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Commentary