Senate Women’s Caucus on Burma Calls Again for the Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC – The members of the Senate Women’s Caucus on Burma today renewed calls for the Burmese military junta, the State Peace and Development Council, to immediately release imprisoned democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi on the occasion of her birthday, as well as all other political prisoners.

The Caucus is co-chaired by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas). The Caucus also includes Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).

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Following is a joint statement from the Senate Women’s Caucus on Burma:

“As members of the U.S. Senate Women’s Caucus on Burma, we extend our sincere best wishes and greetings to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the occasion of her 64th birthday. We regret that, once again, Suu Kyi is unable to celebrate this day freely as she stands trial on trumped up charges of violating her house arrest.

We call upon the regime to release Suu Kyi and all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally and begin a true dialogue on national reconciliation that will lead to a truly representative government.

The military junta has tried for years to stifle the will of the people and silence the voice of Suu Kyi through a brutal campaign of violence and oppression.

Yet, Aung San Suu Kyi remains a beacon of hope for a future of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. She is a source of encouragement and solace for the people of Burma seeking a future free from fear, and she inspires citizens of the world who believe in her message of hope and peace.

On this day we reaffirm our solidarity with Suu Kyi and the people of Burma. We look forward to the day when we can celebrate with Suu Kyi in person in a free and democratic Burma.”

Source: Senator Dianne Feinstein