Demonstration Against Illegal Charges Over Aung San Suu Kyi
Nearly 200 people yesterday gathered amid the unexpected spell of rain in front of Burmese Embassy in London, protesting against the ‘illegal’ charges imposed upon Burma’s pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, following the intrusion into her residence by the American swimmer, John William Yettaw.
The demonstration, organised by National League for Democracy (Liberated Area, UK) in association with UK-based Burmese communities, called on the British government, the UN and international organisations to take immediate yet practical actions on Burma.
“We are here to show our solidarity and unity from the opposition people currently in exile in the UK for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. We are requesting the British government to show their efforts such as sending an envoy to Burma as soon as possible,” Dr. Win Naing, Chairman of NLD (LA, UK) told Chinland Guardian, adding Burma’s generals should be punished for crime against humanity by the international communities.
Holding NLD flags, posters and placards that read ‘Set Aung San Suu Kyi free, Set Burma free’, the peaceful protestors with NLD headbands shouted slogans such as ‘Release innocent Aung San Suu Kyi right now’ and sang songs of democracy and Burmese student associations.
Director of Burma Democratic Concern, Ko Myo Thein told Chinland Guardian: “Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is once again wrongly and illegally charged with the recent intrusion by the American swimmer. The wait-and-see game is over. Words should be followed by actions. This is the time to take actions by the UN and international communities.”
“The military regime is actually plotting the ploy to extend her detention as her imprisonment term is going to expire late this month. They don’t want to release her. We have clearly seen that this is a set-up by the military junta to lock her up in the prison. Therefore, we all come here to show our solidarity to immediately drop the charges against her and to release her unconditionally along with other political prisoners in Burma,” he added.
Later in the afternoon, the demonstration continued in front of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Chin activist Shwekey Hoipang highlighted the British government and the international communities should listen to the voices of the Burmese people and this time help them, not with words but with actions after saying Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the democratic movements, is the hope of the Burmese people for democracy.
Another demonstration, a global day of action for Aung San Suu Kyi, is set to take place in front of Burmese Embassy in London on 18 May.
