SUU KYI

SUU KYI

The country of Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a country seeking democracy but it is saddled with military rule. 45 million people live there without basic rights. The US would like to overthrow the military junta that rules there but it is supported by China and Russia.

Suu Kyi is the daughter of Myanmar independence hero Aung San. She is exactly 10 days older than me. She spent most of her adult life studying and working abroad. In 1988, she returned to Myanmar to attend to her sick mother. It was at this time that students were demonstrating against the ruling regime. She started speaking out in favor of democracy and formed the NLD (The National League for Democracy). She once gave a speech to over half a million people in Rangoon and was hailed as the leader of the movement. In 1991 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as the fearless voice of the fight for democracy in Myanmar.

Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest in 1989. The NLD won a landslide victory in the country's 1990 elections but the military rulers did not allow the results to stand. Instead they went on a campaign to eradicate the NLD and further suppress the people. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for most of the last 17 years.

Suu Kyi is a lady all the world should know. She is the voice and symbol of democracy in Myanmar. Pray for her and her people.