Fears Over Aung San Suu Kyi In Burma’s Insein Prison
The Chin people across the globe express their deep concern over Burma’s democratic leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was taken away from her house and moved to Rangoon’s notorious Insein Prison where she is set to face trial on Monday, sources said.
The 63-year-old opposition leader has been charged with violating terms of her house arrest after being accused of allowing into her residence a 53-year-old American, John William Yettaw, who swam across a nearby lake to get into the military-guarded compound.
Salai Kipp Kho Lian, Chin Forum Co-ordinator, told Chinland Guardian: “Aung San Suu Kyi does not commit any crime but now she is suffering again and charged for what she has not done but for what SPDC has failed in terms of security and protection. What if a criminal sneaks into her house and kill her? It is the absolute duty of SPDC to secure her compound and prevent any intrusion.”
“Once again, the SPDC has obviously done something illegal against the international laws and the UN, sending a new signal of challenge not only to the Burmese peoples but also clearly to the whole world. We, all the peoples from Burma and international communities, should now take a concerted and united action, not verbal but concrete. We have come to a point of time where we need to do something concrete,” continued the Chin veteran political activist in exile, adding the account of what is now known as ‘The Depayin Massacre’ on 30 May 2003, when at least 70 people associated with NLD were killed by SPDC-sponsored mob.
Her lawyer was quoted as saying that Aung San Suu Kyi could face a prison term of up to five years if convicted. Human rights groups denounced the charges and trial as a ploy being used by Burma’s military junta to justify another extension of her detention, which is due to officially end late this month.
Recently, the detained Nobel Peace laureate was reported suffering from dehydration and low blood pressure but now ‘in better condition’ after medical treatment from doctor was allowed.
During her visit to Chin State in April 2003, Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of National League for Democracy, was greeted as ‘Kan Pi’ – meaning our aunty – with flowers, traditional dance and music by thousands of the Chin people.
Burma’s pro-democracy leader has been detained for 13 of the last 19 years under house arrest by the long-standing military regime that denied the 1990 election results in a landslide victory by Suu Ky’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).
