Solidarity for Aung San Suu Kyi
dublin |
rights, freedoms and repression |
feature 
Tuesday August 18, 2009 13:25
by Niamh Rooney - Burma Action Ireland
info at burmaactionireland dot org
087 1261857
Burma Action Ireland welcomes Book of Solidarity for Freeman of Dublin, Daw Suu Kyi
Burma Action Ireland welcomes the opening of a Book of Solidarity for imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi by the Lord Mayor Emer Costello. The Book of Solidarity calling for the immediate release of the Nobel Laureate and Freeman of Dublin was opened today in City Hall. BAI urges the public to sign the book in solidarity with Daw Suu Kyi and asks that we "use our freedom to promote hers".
Burma Action Ireland warmly welcomes the auspicious initiative of Dublin's Lord Mayor, Councillor Emer Costello, in opening a Book of Solidarity for Burma's imprisoned democratic leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. This is a most timely reminder to the citizens of Dublin that this brave Prisoner of Conscience, now in her fourteenth year under house arrest, is a Freeman of Dublin.
Speaking today, Gearoid Kilgallen, Chairperson, Burma Action Ireland said, “we are more than happy to endorse the appeal of the Lord Mayor to the citizens of Dublin, and all who may be visiting, to spare a few minutes to come along to the City Hall in support of a very courageous woman, whose name adds new lustre to the ancient list of Freemen of Dublin. Right now she needs the support of all who value the ideals of justice, freedom and democracy. These are bleak days for all the hapless people of Burma, but especially for the two thousand plus political prisoners languishing under brutal conditions in the ruthless generals' fetid prisons. We call upon all to respond to that poignant plea of Aung San Suu Kyi who is on record as saying, “I hope that the world will not forget us". Let us ensure that she and all who suffer in Burma will not be forgotten here in this ancient city of Dublin, to which we hope she will journey some happier day as a really free ' Freeman of Dublin' .
The Lord Mayor opened the book at City Hall, Castle Street on Monday 17th August 2009 at 1.00pm, calling on the Military Junta in Burma, to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. The book will be open to the public for signing on Monday 17th August from 1.00p.m to 5.00p.m, and from Tuesday 18th August to Thursday 20th August 2009 from 10.00a.m to 5.00p.m.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Emer Costello, Former Lord Mayor, Councillor Mary Freehill, Gearoid Kilgallen, Chairperson Burma Action Ireland (BAI), and Niamh Rooney, Co-ordinator, spoke at the City Hall event.
Comments (9 of 9)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9The Burmese people need guns and ammunition and they need to fight for their freedom.
This petition campaign and messages of solidarity mean nothing and achieve nothing practical whatsoever.
Are the Burmese junta going to listen? Please?!
Any petitions sent to the Burmese government are simply going to be ashes in the fire.
Of course Gen. Than Shwe isn't going to tremble about a book in Dublin, but for some people, signing up will be an intro to human rights concerns, & Daw Aung San Suu Kyi may be pleased to see how far awareness of her cause goes. People signing will likely be able to pick up info on supporting the democratic campaigners, Free Burma Rangers, & the Karen people. We should find out more about who's pulling the strings in Burma - in some regions, dirty old Big Oil is involved.
Do NOT back this woman, she is a stoop for the Freemarket US, the reason for this situation is that China and India, which Burma is situated between, are retaining the military in power to keep the USA out of Burma. The US is using this as an excuse to undermine the Burmese nation to open it for exploitation. This women is not for socialism or freedom but for western business interests, do not believe anything you read about her.
There is already plenty of exploitation in Burma, with oil companies like Total-Elf in bed with the generals, & indigenous peoples, eg, the Karen, killed & displaced.
Sensible advice there from L’il Lulu regarding awareness awakening for people who may be coming into the rights sector for the first time . As part of its training for activists Amnesty organizes workshops which offer support and encouragement for schools and colleges to establish such awareness raising programs . The case of Aung San Suu Kyi could certainly serve as a very useful introduction for such a program that would typically lead on to modules for the improvement of knowledge and understanding of human rights issues and the development of skills for planning, organising and running an event etc. An excellent idea.
Drumming up popular support to overthrow yet another oil rich nation. What's next? maybe a tirade on central african oil rich countries? maybe our boys need to go in there and monkey about a bit...oh... wait!. Or perhaps Gabon. I think they found some oil there recently too. Any opinions on the corrib gas fields Harv?
These people need help:
http://www.freeburmarangers.org/
I have learned to have healthy suspicions when the MS media are all gung ho behind something.
This lady is easy on the eyes and a great poster girl for polarising public opinion.
Since when have western interests cared about how a government treats it's people?
There's likely more to this than meets the eye.
I'm reserving judgement until I have researched it more.
Councillors in every town hall in Ireland should be encouraged to set up similar petition points around the country. It's a good idea; maybe a national campaign is needed to take it further.
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