date: 19 June 2009
embargo: For immediate release
TUC demands release of Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi
The TUC is calling for the release of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on her 64th birthday today (Friday).
The TUC is as part of a global movement demanding the release of all Burma's political prisoners, and calling on the UN Security Council to step up pressure on the military regime by establishing a global arms embargo on Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently being prosecuted by Burmese authorities for violating the terms of her house arrest, after an American man swam across a lake to visit her house in early May. For this, she faces up to five years imprisonment.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The British union movement sees Aung San Suu Kyi's continued incarceration and trial as an outrage.
'Aung San Suu Kyi is the symbol of hope for a free and prosperous Burma. What better gift to give her on her birthday than her freedom? And the freedom of the thousands of political prisoners - many of whom are trade unionists or labour activists - who are rotting away in Burma's jails for doing nothing more than speaking up for their rights.
'The TUC is calling for an end to the persecution of Burmese workers and the unions that represent them, and for the total abolition of forced labour which is rife.
'Burma needs a constitution that will pave the way for a truly democratic and prosperous nation, not a sham puppet state keeping its people in misery.
'The UN Security Council should join the birthday celebrations by putting in place a global arms embargo against this brutal regime.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- UK trade unions will join a demonstration at the Burmese Embassy in London today (Friday) from 1-2pm.
- The TUC is part of the global 64 for Suu campaign, where celebrities and the public have been making 64-word statements to be delivered to Suu Kyi today, on her 64th birthday. These statements, along with images and details of other events are available at www.64forSuu.org
- More than 2,000 delegates at the UNISON national conference in Brighton yesterday (Thursday) donned masks of Burma pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in protest at her continued detention. Photos are available on request.
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
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Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Press release (600 words) issued 19 Jun 2009
