AUNG SAN SUU KYIThe Lady of Burma

AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Burma’s pro-democracy leader

Fought against former socialist leader General Ne-Win

Spent more than 15 years in under full watch (detention)

Most of it under house arrest

HISTORY

Colonized by the British

1940s- General Aung San led fight for independence from the British under Burma Independence Army

Aung San was assassinated by political rivals in 1947.

Independence in 1948- Democratic government and constitution established

1962 coup- military group overthrew the democratic government, led by General Ne Win

General Aung San

HISTORY

1962-1974 Military ruled the country headed by Gen. Ne Win

Business, media, production were under government control.

Under ‘the Burmese Way to Socialism’

Socialist government with superstitious belief.

In 1974, new constitution adopted, country was ruled as a one-party system.

Led to ‘the 8888 Uprising’ (8 August 1988)

General Ne Win

THE 8888 UPRISING (CAUSES)

Withdrawal of currency notes w/o compensation

Failure of the Burmese Way to Socialism

Police Brutality

Military dictatorship

Corruption

POLITICAL CAUSES (CONT)

Highly oppressive policies

Lack of freedom of speech

No guarantee of fair public trials

Suppression of ethnic minority groups

Flawed electoral laws

THE 8888 UPRISING

Demonstration/ Riots/ Civil Disobedience/ Strike Action

Monks, young children, university students, housewives, doctors, and lawyers

1 million protesters in Yangon, 500,000 at Schwedagon Pagoda, 500,000 at downtown Yangon, 100,000 in Mandalay

3,000-10,000 deaths, ten thousands fled to Thailand.

NATIONAL ICON FOR DEMOCRACY

In 1988, Aung San Suu Kyi returned home to Burma to be with her dying mother.

The 8888 Uprising inspired Aung San Suu Kyi.

Became a national icon of Burmese to democracy

Inspired by both Mahatama Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and Buddhist concepts

POLITICAL EFFECTS

Suu Kyi helped found the NLD, the National League for Demoracy, appointed Gen.Secretary

In 1990 Burmese dictatorship was forced to hold a general election. Suu Kyi was already being detained under house arrest before the election. (since 1989)

NLD won majority of seats in Parliament (392 out of 447), but results were ignored.

Over 2,000 members of the NLD was arrested.

HOUSE ARREST

Suu Kyi was held under house arrest until July, 1995

Received Nobel Peace Prize in 1991

In 2000- put under house arrest again

In 2002, she was released again with freedom to travel the country.

No phone, no mail, and no security

2007 SAFFRON REVOLUTION

2007 SAFFRON REVOLUTION

Saffron colored robe of monks

Increasing Oil Price up to 66%

30,000-100,000 people demonstrating in Yangon

The largest Burmese anti-government protest in 20 years

The military junta was sanctioned by the US, EU, and Canada

FAMILY REUNION

Remain under house arrest for almost 15 of the 21 years from July 1989

Recent release on 13 November 2010

Kim Aris was granted a visa in November 2010

First met in 10 years

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Suu Kyi met with Hillary Clinton on 1 December 2011

Met Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Yangon on 21 December 2011

Met British Foreign Minister William Hague met Aung San Suu Kyi on 5 January 2012

POLITICAL FUTURE

Plan to run for the presidency in Myanmar’s 2015 elections

BRAINSTORMING

What does it take for a person to manage 15 years under house arrest?

If you were to meet Aung San Suu Kyi in person, what questions would you ask?

CITATIONS

http://financialpress.com/2012/09/20/myanmar-democratic-activist-accepts-top-congressional-honor/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/9349279/The-pain-of-Aung-Sun-Suu-Kyis-sons-parted-from-their-mother-for-25-years.html

http://www.12ozprophet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120633

http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/09/25/us-myanmar-idUSB58859920070925