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Mizzima: Peoples of India lend soli



Peoples of India lend solidarity to Aung San Suu Kyi's Satyagraha in
Burma

New Delhi, September 9, 2000
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)

Representatives of political parties and human rights activists of India
join together today in extending their solidarity to Burma's
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her non-violent struggle for
democracy. They expressed their vocal support and solidarity to her at a
meeting this afternoon jointly organized by MANUSHI Magazine and
India-based All Burma Students League (ABSL).

About 70 participants including leaders of various political parties,
Members of Parliament, intellectuals and human rights advocates
expressed their solidarity in one voice with the Nobel Laureate Aung San
Suu Kyi and her Satyagraha (truth force) in Burma. The meeting was held
from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at India International Center (IIC) in New Delhi.

"We are very concerned that basic human rights of Aung San Suu Kyi and
other citizens of Burma, are being trampled upon with impunity" said Ms.
Madhu Kishwar, editor of MANUSHI magazine, which co-sponsored the
meeting.

Dr. D. Raja, national secretary of Communist Party of India (CPI)
emphasized the need of mobilizing public opinion and mass movement in
India in support of Burmese pro-democracy activists. Criticizing the
present policy of Indian government towards Burma, Dr. Raja said that
the political parties of India should try to interact and impress upon
the government of India to have a proper approach towards Burma.

"India has a tradition of recognizing the liberation movements and
organizations which fight against the military juntas. But today we find
there is a slide shift", said Dr. Raja.

Senior journalist and Member of Parliament Mr. Kuldip Nayar at the
meeting assured the Burmese activists the support of Indian Members of
Parliament. "We as far as some parliamentarians are present here, we can
assure you that individually and collectively we support your cause and
we shall not sit and rest until we have seen you free and democracy is
restored in your country", said Mr. Kuldip Nayar. He also suggested
forming a group of Indian Parliamentarians for Burma to extend support
to the struggle of Burmese people for democracy.

"We are supporting Aung San Suu Kyi and her struggle not only because of
she is a woman but because she is a woman who has inspired the women's
movement for peace, democracy and development throughout the world",
said a well-known human rights activist and lawyer Ms. Rani Jethmalani.
Extending support of her organization Women Action Research and Legal
Action for Women (WARLAW), Ms. Jethmalani said that violation of human
rights within a country is a threat to anywhere in the world.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi's words, senior socialist leader Prof. Madhu
Dandavate said that peace cannot be divided, morality cannot be divided
and fraternity cannot be divided. It is for self-serving purpose that
Indians need to extend solidarity to the Burmese people.

Other speakers of the day include Mr. Holkhomang Haokip, Member of
Parliament from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Mr. Rabi Ray, former
Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) Speaker, Ms. Promila Dandavate
from Janata Dal (Secular), Ms. Maja Daruwala from Commonwealth Human
Rights Initiative (CHRI), Dr. Shambu Sharan Shrivastava, General
Secretary of Samata Party, Ms. Sarla Maheshwari, Member of Parliament
representing Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Mr. Hari Kishore
Singh, former Minister of State for External Affairs.

The participants also signed a memorandum condemning the continued
repression being faced by the pro-democracy movement led by Aung San Suu
Kyi. "We strongly protest the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi has not been
allowed free movement even after her formal release in 1995 after a six
year house arrest", said the memorandum which is to be submitted to the
leader of Burmese military junta Senior General Than Shwe. The
memorandum further reads; "We also urge your government to guarantee the
fundamental rights of Burmese citizens, restore a democratically elected
government and release all the political prisoners immediately".