University of Wisconsin students have always prided themselves for the activism and concern for people?s well-being around the world. Today, we, as members of Amnesty International, appeal to you to consider the case of Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic political activists in Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner often compared to the revered Nelson Mandela, has been the leader of a non-violent struggle for democracy in Burma since the late 1980s. After winning an election in Burma with 82 percent of the vote, she was put under house arrest by the current military government. She had been kept in and out of prison and house arrest since 1989.
On May 30 and 31 of this year, Suu Kyi and many of her supporters were ambushed and arrested for staging a pro-democracy demonstration. Burma?s government has taken Suu Kyi into ?protected custody? where she remains to this day. The United States, Japan and Indonesia are a few amongst many other nations that have asked for her unconditional release.
It is time that we as concerned citizens of the world speak out in opposition to the injustices committed against Suu Kyi and the hundreds of other members of her party. For all those of us who believe in Gandhi, King and Mandela, it is time that we stand behind another peaceful and compassionate leader. We urge you to put pressure on the government of Myanmar (Burma) to release Aung San Suu Kyi and constituents.
Wisconsin Student Radio (91.7 FM) will be airing a show discussing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her story Oct. 17, from 5 to 6 p.m. You can learn more about Aung San Suu Kyi as well as other political prisoners and send a letter to the Prime Minister and Ambassador of Burma by going to the following web site: www.madison.com/communities/amnesty. Amnesty will also have a table this Saturday at the Memorial Union (across from the Rathskeller) where you can sign petitions and learn more about political prisoners in Burma.
