The Hindu : International : Prayers, protests as Suu Kyi turns 61

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 20, 2006

International

International

Prayers, protests as Suu Kyi turns 61

Myanmar leader is a symbol of the fight for human rights, says E.U.

PHOTO: AP

KEEPING HOPES ALIVE: Activists of the Opposition National League for Democracy demand release of their leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon on Monday.

YANGON: Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday marked her 61st birthday under house arrest while pro-democracy activists around the world staged protests against the military junta.

At Yangon's Town Hall, a lone male protester shouted ``Long live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi'' for several minutes in a rare public protest before police bundled him away, witnesses said.

Rallies were held in more than 25 countries across Asia, Europe and North America to demand the freedom of the Nobel Peace Laureate, who has spent 10 of the past 17 years in some form of detention.

But their protests are likely to fall on deaf ears in Yangon, where the military, which has ruled the country since 1962, clamped tight security on the road outside Ms. Suu Kyi's home.

Armed security men manned barricades and stopped traffic from passing in what appeared to be a move to prevent supporters of ``The Lady'' from gathering near the lakeside villa where she is under house arrest.

Ms. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy hosted a gathering of 200 supporters at its ramshackle headquarters where nine doves were released amid prayers for her freedom.

Source of inspiration

In Geneva, the European Union told the new U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday that it should take inspiration from Ms. Suu Kyi.

``The E.U. is committed to support women human rights defenders who put their freedom, safety and sometimes their lives on the line to advance the cause of human rights,'' Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik told the inaugural session of the council. ``One of these fearless women is Aung San Suu Kyi.''

Ms. Plassnik, who was speaking for the 25-nation bloc because Austria holds the E.U. presidency, noted that Ms. Suu Kyi remained under house arrest.

``Today, on her birthday, she would surely have hoped to join us here in freedom,'' Ms. Plassnik said.

``Her vision and courage should be our inspiration in this forum.'' — AP

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