Aung San Suu Kyi

Guide Note

Aung San Suu Kyi is an activist for democracy in Myanmar. An advocate for non-violent resistance and leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi has been a prisoner of conscience since 1990. She was first placed under house arrest after the military junta nullified elections she was expected to win, and has spent 12 of the last 18 years in confinement. Though she has been released from house arrest several times, her actions and movements have been closely observed and severely limited. Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.

On May 10, 2008 a new, long awaited, Myanmar Constitution will be voted on in a referendum. The military backed document, 14 years in the making, has sparked considerable controversy since its public release, particularly for its barring of Aung San Suu Kyi from political involvement. The new constitution will prohibit any person married to a foreign citizen from becoming a member of the government. The NLD has focused its attention on ensuring that, at the very least, Aung San Suu Kyi will have the opportunity to vote in the referendum, even if it prevents her from making a political comeback.

Fast Facts

1. Born: June 19, 1945
2. Held in detention since 1990 by the military dictatorship that currently rules the country.
3. September 22, 2007 she made a brief appearance at the gates of her house in support of the protests against the government. It was her first appearance in four years.
4. Practices Buddhism
5. Is the daughter of celebrated general Aung San
6. Awarded 1991 Nobel Peace Prize