Dear NvT,
On June 19, 1993, Aung San Suu Kyi celebrated her 48th birthday.  Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi did not celebrate it in the usual manner, as she is still under
house arrest.

Since July of 1989, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been held
under house arrest for opposition to the repressive regime in Myanmar,
formerly known as Burma.

Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of the National League of Democracy, a group
which won more than 80% of the parliamentary seats in the May 1990 elections.
However, since the 1988 military coup, power resides with the State Law and
Order Council (SLORC), the ruling military junta, who have ignored the
results of the election and view rumblings of democracy as a threat to their
power, and hence declared martial law.

This 'martial law' is in effect a legalised program of political repression
and terror.  Since 1988, thousands of peaceful demonstrators have been killed
by security forces.  Nevertheless, Burmese political parties have organized
peaceful demonstrations in defiance of martial law banning political
gatherings.
 
It was because of a planned demonstration on 19 July 1989 that Aung San Suu
Kyi was placed under house arrest.  She is currently being held under a
clause of the 1975 State Protection law that applies to "threats to National
Security." Under the provisions of this law, Aung San Suu Kyi can be held
without trial for as long as five years.

Until recently, Aung San Suu Kyi has been held in almost complete isolation
from her family and followers.  Since April of 1992, her husband and two sons
have been allowed to make two visits.

The government of Myanmar has recently announced that it will release all
political prisoners who pose no threat to national security.  Over 1200
prisoners have been released so far, but several thousands of political
prisoners still remain in prison.  There has been no indication that Aung San
Suu Kyi will be released.

In recognition of her upcoming birthday, we are asking individuals to send
cards and letters to her in care of the Burmese Embassy as a show of
solidarity.

Please send cards, letters, flowers to:
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
c/o Embassy of the Myanmar,
Cnr Arkana St &Wanna St,
Yarralumla  ACT  2601.

Eds Note: Although Daw Aung's birthday has passed, we thought this action so
worthwhile that NvT readers may care to participate anyway.  The suggestion
originally came from Nonviolence International, 15 June 1993, and included
the possibility of some letters being read over international shortwave
radio, e.g. B.B.C.