Let brave woman know she is not forgotten
THIS weekend, Hong Kong will have two public holidays in celebration of the Queen's birthday. Many of us will spend the time catching up with family or friends and having the freedom to do whatever we want.
June 19 is also the birthday of another woman, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate who will spend her 50th birthday, under house arrest, alone, her husband having been refused an entry visa when he attempted to visit her in April of this year.
We are asking members of the public to send as many birthday cards as possible to let this brave woman know that although she may be alone, she is not forgotten and that people around the world remain concerned about her and the plight of many others in Burma, as the military government continues to refuse to hand over power to the democratically-elected government of which Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader.
You may send the birthday cards directly to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, University Avenue, Yangon, Union of Myanmar, or, to the Mayanmar (Burmese) Consulate and ask that they be forwarded on.
Write to Consul-General U Myo Myint, Rooms 2421-2425, Sun Hung Kai Centre, 30 Harbour Road, Hong Kong. July 29, 1995, also marks the sixth anniversary of the detention under house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Under the detention order which Aung San Suu Kyi is held, according to the Government of Mayanmar's own interpretation of its altered law, she cannot be held beyond July, 1995. We therefore hope that as many people from across the spectrum of Hong Kong society will urge the Myanmar authorities to honour their own laws and release her on or before July 20.
Aung San Suu Kyi is a remarkable woman, with a determination and courageous spirit that has enabled her to face the isolation from her family and friends - so let us just take a few minutes of our time to keep hope alive that we can soon celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's release.
ROBYN KILPATRICK Chairperson Amnesty International Hong Kong
