Nobel Peace Prize Winner Suu Kyi Released

Cheers greeted Burmese political leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she was finally released from house arrest after over two decades of intermittent house arrest. The 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner and activist was a leader in the National League for Democracy, a group that advocated for democracy in the country.

From Voice of America:

Burma democracy activists and Asia regional governments have welcomed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from detention but are also urging Burma’s military government to support calls for national reconciliation.

The release of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, from detention Saturday has been widely welcomed by Burmese expatriate communities, democracy activists and regional governments.

Aung San Suu Kyi, released after the end of an 18 month sentence, has spent much of the past two decades in some type of government confinement for her calls for democracy in Burma.

Friends and political supports lined the street of Suu Kyi’s house at the news of impending release, eager to see their heroine. Via the Washington Post:

Supporters were crammed against Suu Kyi’s front gate and in nearby trees to catch the first glimpse of the opposition leader, and when she appeared, cheers rang out on the street. It was more than five minutes before the crowd was quiet enough for her to speak.

“I’m very happy to see you all again,” she said softly, her words barely audible above the din.

She shook hands with her supporters as one handed her a garland of white and red flowers that she attached to the back of her hair. She was in good health, she said. It was time for Burma to come together after so many years of division. “People must work in unison,” she said. “Only then can we achieve our goal.”

In reaction to her release, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said:

Today I join with billions of people around the world to welcome the long-overdue release of Burmese democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

Aung San Suu Kyi has endured enormous personal sacrifice in her peaceful struggle to bring democracy and human rights to Burma, including unjustified detention for most of the past twenty years. The Burmese regime has repeatedly rejected her offers to engage in dialogue and work together, trying instead to silence and isolate her. Through it all, Aung San Suu Kyi’s commitment to the Burmese people has not wavered.

The United States calls on Burma’s leaders to ensure that Aung San Suu Kyi’s release is unconditional so that she may travel, associate with her fellow citizens, express her views, and participate in political activities without restriction. They should also immediately and unconditionally release all of Burma’s 2,100 political prisoners.

We urge Burma’s leaders to break from their repressive policies and begin an inclusive dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic and ethnic leaders towards national reconciliation and a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future.

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Kuldipsingh L.

4:50AM PST on Nov 24, 2010

Aungsan Su Kyi is the daughter of Burma's independence Hero, Thakin Aungsan, who was massacred in Burmese Parliament.
The Burmese army Generals are selfish people who are holding the entire public to ransom. What use is the independence in these circumstances.
The Burmese army should mind its own business and leave politics and running the country to politicians and the public at large.
The country can never make any progress under army rule. See the examples of Uganda, Pakistan,Iraq etc.
It is high time the army thinks of the welfare of the Burmese people.
I wish the Burmese people a democratic way of life in its true meaning.
Kuldip Singh

send a green star

Walter G.

12:50AM PST on Nov 21, 2010

the generals want her out where they can get her assassination finalized..

Coladoe M.

12:21AM PST on Nov 21, 2010

I am really glad to hear this news!

Nellie K A.

8:07PM PST on Nov 20, 2010

I was happy to hear that 6 days ago in the French and Itailan news, but still a great long way to go for the Burmese Myanmar people and the government.

Gillian M.

11:50AM PST on Nov 20, 2010

I was thrilled to hear that Suu Kyi had finally been freed. I had been petitioning along with many other thousands of people and hope that this helped the junta realise that the old days have gone.

I sincerely hope that Suu Kyi will remain free and that the political prisoners will also be given their freedom soon. There are far too many countries who do not believe in freedom and, sadly, many who claim that they do fail to follow up this statement.

david b.

5:50AM PST on Nov 20, 2010

Super& Good

Penelope B.

1:11AM PST on Nov 20, 2010

She is a Saint

Alinkar T.

3:45PM PST on Nov 19, 2010

Finally my mother released..
Now track on democracy..!

Manuela C.

8:06AM PST on Nov 19, 2010

Good news!