Suu Kyi is building an online petition to bravely called on the military regime to free the thousands of monks and peaceful activists held in horrific prisons, some in cramped dog cages. Unprecedentedly, thousands of Burmese have risked their own safety to sign the petition and join her call for freedom!But in response the regime issued an ominous warning to Suu Kyi – and theGenerals may be deciding right now between dialogue or another brutal crackdown.
This could come down to us. Activists in Burma have appealed to the world for help, saying that pressure from the international community is crucial to preventing violence and freeing political prisoners. Let's stand with Suu Kyi and the brave Burmese, sign on to their petition, and send it to the EU, India and other key governments who can press the regime. Sign below and forward this email to build our outcry:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_
International pressure, including a massive Avaaz campaign, helped free Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent 15 years in detention. But over 2000 of her fellow political prisoners remain in filthy jails, some in cramped, lice-filled kennels normally used for military dogs. Suu Kyi has consulted widely with the Burmese people since she was freed and is now making the push to release political prisoners -- her first major effort to press the regime for change. The future of Burma could depend on their response.
Suu Kyi led the party that won Burma's last real democratic elections in 1992. After a military coup, the brave Burmese have pursued a peaceful non-violent movement for democracy and rights, facing killings, torture and intimidation in response. Pressed by economic woes, international sanctions and national strife, the military junta has tried to set up a fake democracy -- but Suu Kyi's movement is still banned and her campaign for prisoner release is a key testof whether the Generals will allow real change.
Burma has suffered too long. Let's stand with this incredible woman and help her put her country on the road to democracy. Sign below and forward this email to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_
Our community has stood with the Burmese people many times. Our massive petition and ad campaign in 2007 helped build an unprecedented level of international outcry against the crackdown then. Avaaz members also donated to provide technical support and training to Burmese activists who faced an internet and phone blackout. We sent millions of dollars and euros in relief funds after a devastating cyclone. Now, the Burmese are appealing again for support -- let's answer their call for help.
With hope and determination,
Stephanie, Alex, Pascal, Giulia, Ricken, Brianna, Morgan, Emma and the rest of the Avaaz team
SOURCES
Myanmar's Suu Kyi to plans first trip since release
http://news.yahoo.com/
Myanmar tilts towards civil war
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/
Burma: prisoners kept in ‘dog cages’ after protests
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/
Myanmar politician warns of Arab Spring
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/
Gordon Brown: The release of political prisoners in Burma
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
