Senators alarmed by treatment of Nobel recipient Aung San Suu Kyi

[babylonsister]

Senators alarmed by treatment of Nobel recipient
By Bridget Johnson
Posted: 05/15/09 02:51 PM


The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and State Department have sprung to the defense of a Burmese democracy icon jailed after receiving an American visitor while under house arrest.

Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) and ranking member Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) released a joint statement Friday protesting the latest imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient who has been prevented by the military junta from assuming the role of prime minister since winning 1990 elections in a landslide.

“The Obama administration and Congress are reviewing America’s policy toward Burma," Kerry and Lugar wrote. "At this critical time, some in the junta are trying to leverage the recent alleged unauthorized entry into Aung San Suu Kyi’s compound to extend her detention. This action sends precisely the wrong message to the citizens of Burma, the people of Southeast Asia, and all those in the global community who seek for the Burmese people the opportunity to live in a country where universal human rights are respected, not trampled.

“Now is the time for reform-minded leaders within the military junta to step forward and be heard," the senators wrote. "Releasing Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners would signal the start of a constructive dialogue with the United States.”

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that the U.S. would try to get help in pressuring Burma from regional neighbors.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/senators-alarmed-by-treatment-of-nobel-recipient-2009-05-15.html

[LeftishBrit]

1. k&r - this is a very important and shameful story

http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/call-immediate-and-unconditional-release-aung-san-suu-kyi

http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk

[slay]

2. The situation in Burma pissed off Sylvester Stalone enough to set Rambo IV (John Rambo) there

Gotta hand it to Sly - great movie - especially for a dude in his 60's - he was a total badass. Also, all proceeds from the special edition of Rambo on DVD have gone to helping people in Burma I believe - that was the plan at any rate. I did a bit of research on Burma after seeing Rambo and it's pretty fucked up over there. :(