Nobel Women's Initiative

Aung San Suu Kyi, head of Burma's pro-democracy movement, has begun her tour outside of Rangoon for the first time since being released from house arrest since last November.   In June, the Burmese regime threatened that if Suu Kyi embarked on her tour, "There may be chaos and riots as evidenced by previous incidents."  

Suu Kyi was democratically elected in the early 90s, but the regime has made her the target of assassination attempts and violence ever since.

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On Suu Kyi’s 2003 tour, the military regime attacked a group of ralliers and killed 70 NLD (National League for Democracy) supporters. 

Yesterday, Suu Kyi visited the ancient city of Bagan without incident.  She is urging her followers to refrain from forming large crowds and rallies to prevent a similar incident like the confrontation in 2003. The NLD has since been banned, however, it is still highly operative outside of Burmese law.   Last week, on June 29th, the government issued a statement saying that the NLD is 'defunct' for failing to 'apply for its existence' in 2010, and accusing it of being 'willing to exploit the public.' 
 
Regardless of government threats to her safety and security, Aung San Suu Kyi will continue her tour through Burma.

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TAKE ACTION

Stand with Aung San Suu Kyi, Avaaz.org

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LEARN MORE

Burmese Diplomat Seeks Asylum in US, Washington Post, 5 July 2011. 

Burma Army Does Not Stop Human Rights Abuses in Kachin State, Asian Correspondent, 5 July 2011.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi Keeps Low Profile on Up Country Trip, Reuter, 5 July 2011. 

Aung San Suu Kyi Has to Tread Lightly- But Governments Must Tell it Like it is, The Guardian, 4 July 2011.

Aung San Suu Kyi 'must end political activity', BBC, 29 June 2011.

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