During the 15 of the 21 years from 1989 to 2010 when she became one of the world’s most prominent political prisoners, I have issued countless statements espousing her freedom and her cause for democracy and human rights in Myanmar.
It is heart-breaking to watch her silence and failure to speak up and end the violence, horrors and human rights violations perpetrated on the Rohingya minority in Myanmar.
I fully endorse the call by another Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu who have come out of retirement to issue a heart-felt letter to Aung San Suu Kyi, calling on her to end the violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.
The 85-year-old anti-apartheid activist said:
“I am now elderly, decrepit and formally retired, but breaking my vow to remain silent on public affairs out of profound sadness.
“For years I had a photograph of you on my desk to remind me of the injustice and sacrifice you endured out of your love and commitment for Myanmar’s people. You symbolised righteousness.
“Your emergence into public life allayed our concerns about violence being perpetrated against members of the Rohingya. But what some have called ‘ethnic cleansing’ and others ‘a slow genocide’ has persisted – and recently accelerated.
“It is incongruous for a symbol of righteousness to lead such a country.
“If the political price of your ascension to the highest office in Myanmar is your silence, the price is surely too steep.”
Aung San Suu Kyi must break her silence, speak up for justice and human rights and end the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya community in Myanmar.
#1 by Bigjoe on Friday, 8 September 2017 - 4:11 pm
What is really wrong with she is doing is she really has no good idea what to do..Her issue is not one of morality, but rather capability. In other words, the problems she face is so much bigger than what she is capable of but she cannot admit it for everything is at stake.
She excuse herself for the constraint she faces but truth is she also cannot see the solution because no one is giving it to her, not her people, not the world or international community and not the victims and her enemies who have contributed to the problems are more than happy to see her sink.
The problem is, its her job.
#2 by good coolie on Friday, 8 September 2017 - 4:58 pm
No one who knows modern Myamar-history doubts the moral integrity of Su Kyi.
Her silence has a purpose in the delicate balance between the civil authority and megalomaniac army-personnel. I believe she is doing something, but is not free to publicize what she is doing.
The world should do more for the Rohingyas. Malaysia ought to be proud of its efforts on behalf of these unfortunate people, but others with significant Muslim populations like Pakistan, India and Indonesia can take in more of the refugees.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic wheel should turn and due pressure exerted on the Myamar government by way of sanctions. China and Russia, instead of free-riding on the moral bus, should come on board and sacrifice their economic interests to support the rights of oppressed peoples.