We know that you suffer tremendously as you struggle to free Burma from the grip of a fearsome military dictatorship. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the military dictatorship has denied you freedom of movement, association, and speech – this is your unjust punishment for having lead the National League for Democracy to overwhelming victory in Burma’s last democratic elections. We are appalled that you receive treatment so unmerited and cannot understand why, in the face of your repression, so much of the world has remained silent.
Women of Burma, we are aware that you have been forced into physical labor, subjected to widespread rape that targets you who are of ethnic minority descent, and pressed into prostitution and sexual slavery. We know that 50,000 of your children are used as child soldiers. We also know that you must cope with the AIDS epidemic sweeping Burma – a crisis denied by the military dictators. We are so saddened and angered that you have been stripped of your human rights and democratic voice, yet heartened by your perseverance, dignity and strength in the face of overwhelming force and brutal violence.
We – the undersigned women of the international political, academic, arts, and civic communities– demand that the military dictators release the women – indeed, all the peoples of Burma – from the physical, political, and mental bondage that you have endured for too long already. We stand behind the rights of women to play active roles in the political process as well as the rights of those legally elected representatives of the people of Burma to convene in parliament.
Until your rights are recognized, we commit ourselves to work to build public awareness around the world of the crisis in Burma and to help build support for international efforts to bring peace and democracy to your country. While the dictatorship isolates you and smothers democracy in Burma, we assure you that you have our strength, support, and compassion – you are not alone.
Sincerely,
(sign)
Jody Williams
