Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is an activist for democracy in Myanmar. An advocate for non-violent resistance and leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi has been a prisoner of conscience since 1990. She was first placed under house arrest after the military junta nullified elections she was expected to win, and has spent more than a dozen years in confinement.
On May 26 2009, Barack Obama called on the Myanmar government to "immediately and unconditionally" free Aung San Suu Kyi from detention. Obama "strongly condemned" her house arrest and criminal charges. He added that the arrest of Suu Kyi cast doubt on the potential for the Burmese regime to be seriously considered part of the international community. The Washington Post: Obama calls on Myanmar to free Aung San Suu Kyi
Failing Health
In May of 2009, Kyi was said to be in failing health, suffering from dehydration and low blood pressure. While Kyi was allowed to see her doctor on Friday, May 8, 2009, her party said a subsequent visit on May 9 was denied.CNN: Aung San Suu Kyi denied doctor visit, her party says
Referendum Controversy
On May 10, 2008 a new, long-awaited, constitution in Myanmar was voted on in a special referendum. The military backed document, 14 years in the making, has sparked considerable controversy since its public release, particularly for its barring of Aung San Suu Kyi from political involvement. The new constitution prohibits any person married to a foreign citizen from becoming a member of the government. The NLD focused its attention on ensuring that Aung San Suu Kyi had the opportunity to vote in the referendum, even if it prevented her from making a political comeback.
Arrested
Suu Kyi was taken from her home and transported to a prison compound near Yangon on May 14, 2009. She stood trial starting on Monday, May 18 in connection with an incident in which an American swam across a lake to stay two days in her closely guarded home. If convicted of the charge of violating the terms of her house arrest, Suu Kyi could face between three to five years in prison. Some have speculated that the charges are an attempt by the Myanmar government to extend Suu Kyi's house arrest, which was set to expire in late May 2009.CNN: Myanmar democracy leader Suu Kyi facing trial (May 14, 2009)
Featured Video
References
Fast Facts
-
Born
-
Birthplace
Rangoon, Burma
-
Fact:
Held in detention since 1990 by the military dictatorship that currently rules the countryCNN: Aung San Suu Kyi denied doctor visit, her party says
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
On September 22, 2007, she made a brief appearance at the gates of her house in support of the protests against the government
-
Fact:
September 2007 appearance was her first in four years
-
Fact:
Practices Buddhism
-
Fact:
Is the daughter of celebrated general Aung San
-
Fact:
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991
-
Fact:
Kyi has been released from house arrested several times
-
Fact:
Her actions and movements have been closely observed and severely limited
