London: Protest for Aung San Suu Kyi

Outside the Burmese embassy in London they gather, calling for the release of their pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

The verdict of her 2-month long trial was announced on Tuesday — guilty of violating security law and sentenced to 18 months of house arrest.

Protesters described the trial as illegal and unfair. They claim that it is just a way for the military regime to keep Aung San Suu Kyi out of the way during the planned 2010 election.

[Zin Zin Myo Thant, Burma Democratic Concern]:
“Actually the military regime is trying to have their 2010 election next year. So they won’t let Aung San Suu Kyi get involved in that election.”

A wave of international condemnation meets the verdict with the U.S., U.K. and France calling for global economic sanctions against the military regime.

Nevertheless, global sanctions are unlikely to work without cooperation from Burma's Asian neighbors.

[Myo Thein, Burma Democratic Concern Director]:
“If every country put humanity before profits, then the sanctions would be much more effective. Because here we are seeing only the partial sanction I must say, because it’s not a universal sanction. Because China and India they are doing the business with the illegal military regime.”

Protesters urge the U.N. Security Council for a global arms embargo against Burma.

[Myo Thein, Burma Democratic Concern Director]:
“They are calling for the United Nations Security Council to pose universal economic sanctions as well as an universal arms embargo”.

Protesters are claiming they are pressing for action rather than war and will continue to show solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Linoy Markram, NTD, London
http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_europe/2009-08-13/844187989317.html