Aung San Suu Kyi
The World's Only Imprisoned Nobel Laureate
Aung San Suu Kyi
•
In 1991, Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize
for peace.
•
Since 1988, she has been one of leaders “fighting” for
democratic and free elections, respect for human
rights, free speech and equality in Burma. Burma is
ruled by a military dictatorship
•
She has been under house arrest in Yangon (formerly
Rangoon) in Myanmar (Burma)…off and on…since
1988 for 11 of 18 years.
•
On 27 May 1990, her political party won the election,
but the results were rejected by the military
dictatorship. She is a “leader in waiting.”
•
Suu Kyi is an international symbol of heroic and
peaceful resistance in the face of oppression.
Aung San Suu Kyi
What is Revolution?
• Revolution is central to the
formation of the modern
world.
• It means transformative
change.
• As a historical process,
revolution refers to a
movement, often violent, to
overthrow an old regime and
effect complete change in the
fundamental institutions of
society.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Why do I have to fight???
They killed my father a year ago,
And they burnt my hut after that
I asked the city men "why me?" they ignored
"I don't know, mind your business," the men said.
One day from elementary school I came home,
Saw my sister was lifeless, lying in blood.
I looked around to ask what happened, if somebody'd
known,
Found no one but living room as a flood.
Running away by myself on the village road,
Not knowing where to go but heading for my teacher
Realizing she's the only one who could help to clear my
throat,
But this time she gave up, telling me strange things in fear.
Why, teacher, why.. why.. why?
I have no dad nor a sister left.
To teach me and to care for me you said, was that a lie?
This time with tearful eyes she, again, said...
"Be a grown one, young man,
Can't you see we all are dying?
And stop this with your might as soon as you can,
For we all are suffering."
Aung San Suu Kyi
Biography
•
Aung San Suu Kyi was born in 1945.
•
Suu Kyi is the daughter of General Aung
San. In 1947, he led Burma to
independence from Great Britain. He was
assassinated by political rivals in the
same year.
•
Suu Kyi left Burma as a teenager.
Although a Buddhist, she attended
Catholic schools. She received formal
university training at Oxford in England.
•
While in England, she married a Tibetan
scholar.
•
She returned to Burma in 1988 to care for
her sick mother. She left her husband and
two children in England.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
•
Burma is a small country located between
India, China and Thailand. It has a
population of 47.3 million people. The
major religion is Buddhism.
•
Since 1962, Burma was ruled by military
dictator General Ne Win until his 2002
death. Since 2002, other military leaders
under the name State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC) have
controlled the country.
•
In 1989, the name Myanmar was adopted
by the military junta in 1989. It has not
been formerly recognized by the elected
legislature of Burma or parts of the
international community.
•
The military has ruled Burma with an iron
fist. Human rights are violated.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
•
In 1998, pro-democracy movements were
sweeping across Burma, and the All
Burma Students Democratic League
organized a general strike.
•
On 8 August 1988, millions of people
began a peaceful protest march. General
Ne Win ordered the army to attack, and
using bullets and bayonets, they killed
hundreds of protestors. This day is called
The Massacre of 8.8.88 in Burma.
•
A second rally called for national
disobedience was organized for 18
September 1988. Once again, the army
attacked. This time the death toll was
thousands.
•
The army claimed they were only killing
communists.
•
The army collected and burned the bodies.
Aung San Suu Kyi
•
In the aftermath of 8.8.88, Suu Kyi became
politically active. Heavily influenced by
Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence, she
began working for democratization of
Burma.
•
SLORC declares martial law and arrests
thousands of people, including advocates
of democracy and human rights. During
this time, SLORC renames Burma
Myanmar and the capital Rangoon
becomes Yangon.
•
Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest.
She was offered freedom if she would
withdraw from politics and leave the
country, but she refused. She was held in
solidarity confinement for six years.
Aung San Suu Kyi
• While under house arrest, she
becomes leader of the National
League for Democracy (NLD). In 1990,
NLD wins the election, and Suu Kyi is
elected President. The military rulers
refuse to accept the people’s will.
• In 1991, Suu Kyi is awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize for her efforts to bring
rights, freedoms and democracy to
Burma. It is said Suu Kyi is an
outstanding example of the “power of
the powerless.” Suu Kyi is not
allowed to travel to accept the award.
• In 1995, she is freed from house
arrest, but her movements are strictly
controlled.
Aung San Suu Kyi
•
In 1995, Suu Kyi “attends” a Women’s Conference in
Beijing by secret videotape.
•
In her speech, she says, “To the best of my knowledge,
no war was ever started by women, but it is women and
children who have always suffered the most in situations
of conflict. There is an outmoded Burmese proverb still
recited by men, who wish to deny that women too can
play a part in bringing necessary change and progress to
their society: The dawn rises only when the rooster
crows. Burmese people today are well aware of the
scientific reason behind the rising of dawn and the
falling of dusk, and the intelligent rooster surely realizes
that it is because dawn comes that it crows and not the
other way around. It crows to welcome the light that has
come to relieve the darkness of night. It is not the
prerogative of men alone to bring light to the world.
Women with their capacity for compassion and selfsacrifice, their courage and perseverance, have done
much to dissipate the darkness of intolerance and hate,
suffering and despair.“
•
In 1999, her husband dies of cancer in England. Fearing
she will not be allowed back into Burma if she leaves,
Suu Kyi does not see him before he dies. Instead, she
gives saffron robes to 53 monks.
Aung San Suu Kyi
•
In 2000, Suu Kyi is arrested for violating travel
restrictions within Burma and returned to
house arrest.
•
After UN-led negotiations to build “trust” in
2002, she is released, but in 2003, a mob
attacks and kills many of Suu Kyi’s supporters.
“For her own protection”, Suu Kyi is jailed in
Insein Prison in Yangon. Later, she is
transferred to house arrest.
•
During this time, Suu Kyi dedicates the rest of
her life to represent the average Burmese
citizen.
•
During her arrest, Suu Kyi has been visited by
many international leaders who call for her
release. Using the 1975 State Protection Act
(Article 10 b) which grants the government the
power to imprison persons for up to five years
without a trial, the military rulers ignore the
world’s demands.
Aung San Suu Kyi
• In November 2007, Suu Kyi
meets with NLD members for
the first time in many years.
• In October 2007, Buddhist
monks begin non-violent
protests called the Saffron
Revolution over government
economic actions. The military
junta suppressed this action
with brutal force.
• Suu Kyi has not seen her two
sons since 1988. She remains a
prisoner in her own home. Suu
Kyi is 65 years old. She may be
Burma’s last hope for
democracy.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Her Contributions
Leadership
Heroism
Fortitude
Peace
Hope
Spirit
Dedication
Strength
Meaning
Freedom
Resolve
Truth