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Aung San Suu Kyi DayOctober 24th is International Day of Action for Burma
On October 24th supporters around the world will hold protests and candlelight vigils to show their continued support for the people of Burma and leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Why October 24th?Burma activists around the world have chosen October 24th as an international day of action for Burma. The date marks the anniversary of the formal establishment of the United Nations charter in 1945. and has been recognized as United Nations Day since 1971. For Burma, October 24th is significant in that it marks 12 years that Aung San Suu Kyi will have spent under house arrest. Further, it is one month since September 24th, when over 100,000 monks and citizens took to the streets of Burma demanding a change in government, the biggest display of anti-government sentiment in Burma since the 1988 pro-democracy uprising. The U.S. Campaign for Burma is the major organizer of Aung San Suu Kyi Day, in conjunction with a Facebook group called Support the Monks' Protest in Burma that has attracted over 400,000 members since September. What is Aung San Suu Kyi day?On October 24th at twelve o'clock in twelve cities around the world twelve people will gather outside Chinese embassies wearing Aung San Suu Kyi masks and dressed in white. The Chinese government is being targeted because China is the biggest financial supporter and arms supplier of the military junta in Burma. Many members of the international community believe that unless China ceases its support of the regime, nothing will improve for the people of Burma. Candlelight vigils will also be held across the world in cities including Vancouver, Toronto, Berlin and Melbourne. One main purpose of the events is to keep Burma in the world's consciousness as news of the protests fades from headlines just one month after the major uprising. The monks and citizens who came out in such great numbers to protest their own government are now being silenced. Supporters around the world are now taking up their cause. The Lady: Aung San Suu KyiAung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of the respected Burmese leader General Aung San, who was leading the country's transition to independence from British rule when he was assassinated in 1947 by his political opposition. Aung San Suu Kyi was elected by the people of Burma in 1990, following massive political upheaval in the country. Rather than respect the wishes of the people, the military junta put Suu Kyi under house arrest, imprisoned members of her party the National League for Democracy, and took control of the country by force. Suu Kyi has spent twelve of the past eighteen years under house arrest. She has continually stressed the importance of non-violence in the people's struggle for independence, and in 1991 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to bring democracy to Burma. Local EventsTo find events in your area, check out the Burma Watch website, or look in your newspaper for local event listings. If there's nothing happening in your area, you could have a private vigil and send thoughts to the people of Burma.
The copyright of the article Aung San Suu Kyi Day in International Human Rights is owned by Sarah Turner. Permission to republish Aung San Suu Kyi Day in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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