>==================================================================== >For Immediate Release: May 5, 2001 (May 6th in Asia) >Media Contact (202) 547-5985 >ATTENTION: BUSINESS, POLITICAL, INTERNATIONAL EDITORS > >World’s Most Prominent Political Prisoner Released from House Arrest > >Free Burma Coalition Urges International Supporters to Monitor >“Progress” Closely > >(Washington, DC) – Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi was released today from a >19-month house arrest. Known for her fiery charisma and Gandhi-like >essays on nonviolence and active resistance, Aung San Suu Kyi was the >only Nobel Peace Prize recipient in the world under long-term house >arrest. > >The U.S.-based Free Burma Coalition welcomes the news of the release, >and while the Coalition is cautiously optimistic about the latest >development(s), it urges activists and governments around the world to >continue monitoring the country’s human rights situation and political >progress. > >“Free Burma Coalition is pleased by the release news. We sincerely hope >this is the first genuine step (by the Burmese generals) towards >national reconciliation and nation-building,” said Dr. Zar Ni, a Burmese >political exile and founding director of the Coalition. > >Aung Din, a prominent student leader in Burma’s 1988 popular uprising >who was tortured and jailed by the regime for 5 years, stresses, “There >are currently about 2,000 pro-democracy activists behind bars (in >Burma). Some are aging and some are ailing. The international community >must call on the regime to release these political prisoners as well.” > >The European Union, United States and Canada, as well as grassroots >“Free Burma” activists internationally, have put consistent pressure on >the Burmese regime through consumer boycotts and diplomatic and economic >sanctions for a genuine political change including her release. Since >1995, over 50 multinational corporations including PepsiCo, Wal-Mart, >Texaco and >ARCO cut ties to Burma, owing to citizens’ campaigns led by the Free >Burma Coalition and its allies. In 2000, the International Labor >Organization, an agency of the United Nations, paved the way for further >economic sanctions after discovering the pervasive use of "forced labor" >throughout the country by the Burmese regime. It is believed that Aung >San Suu Kyi’s release came about as a result of these multi-layered >efforts. > >“We re-affirm our solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and her people by >carrying on with our citizens’ efforts until and unless Burma’s >democratic leadership calls for the end of international sanctions,” >said Larry Dohrs, longtime Burma supporter and Vice-President of >Seattle’s Newground Investment Services. > >Aung San Suu Kyi rose to prominence during a nationwide uprising in >1988. Despite being placed under a previous house arrest in 1989, her >popularity and charisma led her National League for Democracy party to a >landslide victory in the 1990 multiparty elections. The military has >refused to honor the election results. > >One of the world’s poorest nations, Burma under the current military >regime is in economic ruin with a high rate of HIV infection amongst its >populace. The regime has been shaken by a recent abortive coup attempt >by former General Ne Win (and family), who officially ruled the country >from 1962-88. Unable to address the country’s economic and HIV crises, >the Burmese regime appears desperate for international assistance and >collaboration with the opposition. > >FBC Washington Office (202) 547-5985 >Dr. Zar Ni (510) 685-4170 >Aung Din (301) 602-0077 > >==^================================================================ >This email was sent to: [log in to unmask] > >EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?b1djz0.b2NHoJ >Or send an email to: [log in to unmask] > >T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! >http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register >==^================================================================ >