Obama To Burma's Military Junta: Release Aung San Suu Kyi
by ERICA LIEPMANN, Causecast Associate Editor
UPDATE – ACTION ALERT
E-mail your Congressional representative and tell them to co-sponsor Resolution 898!
The resolution calls for:
1. The U.N. Security Council to investigate human rights abuses and war crimes in Burma.
2. An international embargo against selling arms to the Burmese military junta.
3. All political prisoners to be set free, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
E-mail your representative NOW!
For decades, the ruling military junta in Burma (Myanmar) has silenced opposition and pro-democracy voices in the country. The most well-known example – democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was refused her rightful place in government and has been imprisoned (or under house arrest) for almost 20 years.
The U.S. has maintained trade sanctions against Burma for years, in an effort to use economic means to pressure the military dictatorship to re-evaluate their actions. But what effect have these sanctions had? None that can be sighted – especially with other nations still willing to do business with the Burmese government.
Over the weekend, President Obama attended a U.S./Asean Leaders Meeting in Singapore – at which he called upon the Burmese leaders to release Aung San Suu Kyi. A new direction for U.S. dealings with Burma? We’ll see…
From the Associated Press:
President Barack Obama on Sunday told Myanmar’s junta to free pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during an unusual face-to-face interaction with a top leader of the ruling military.
Obama delivered the strong message during his summit with leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations, which included Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that Obama called on Myanmar to free his fellow Nobel Peace laureate Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and end oppression of minorities.
‘’Obama brought that up directly with that government,’’ Gibbs said, indicating that the president addressed Thein Sein.
To get involved advocating for Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma, check out the Freedom to Lead campaign.
Photo by mrsrichardson823, flickr.
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Human Rights
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