Hundreds gather to show support for Burmese democracy
Updated
The famous Sydney Opera House has provided the backdrop to a demonstration in support of democracy in Burma. Several hundred people including the wife of the Australian Prime Minister stood together on the opera house steps to show their support for Burma's imprisoned democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Presenter: Jonathan Gadir
Speakers: Dr Myint Cho, Australian-based Burmese pro-democracy activist; Therese Rein, wife of Australian prime minister; Lucy Turnbull, wife of Australian opposition leader; Claire Mallinson, Amnesty International Australia; Janelle Saffin, Labor Party MP
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GADIR: Australians from all walks of life turned out to support Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the cause of freedom in Burma. While billed as a women's event, the crowd was mixed. They came from different political parties, from NGOs, the entertainment industry, from unions, and high schools and from the Australian-Burmese community. People like Dr Myint Cho:
MYINT CHO: This is a very important moment for the people of Burma to show our solidarity and support for the people of Burma who fight for democracy in that country. Aung San Suu Kyi is the undisputed charismatic leader of the people of Burma. I am inspired by her sacrifice and selfless struggle, so I always wish her to be free as soon as possible to lead the country, to guide the people of Burma, to fight for their freedom.
GADIR: The official speakers were all women - foremost Therese Rein, the wife of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
REIN: We've gathered here today to express our support and admiration for a truly courageous woman and for the struggle of a people who deserve the right to determine their own future and choose their own leaders. The Australian people and the women of Australia in particular, want to send a message to Aung San Suu Kyi today and to the people of Burma on whose behalf she continues to sacrifice her own freedom. We wish to convey our great admiration for you and our strong support for your struggle. We want the world to know that we are deeply saddened and angered by your long incarceration, but inspired by the sacrifices you've made and continue to make. We want to assure you that you are in our thoughts and our prayers and we will not give up our efforts to advocate on your behalf and on behalf of the Burmese people.
GADIR: Also addressing the gathering was Lucy Turnbull, the wife of the Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull.
TURNBULL: To Aung San [Suu Kyi], if you can hear us now or know what we are saying, please understand this. Though we are far away from you, you are so often in our hearts and in our thoughts and in our prayers. We look at you and we see one of the great heroines of our times. You have never taken the easier option of leaving the country to be reunited with your family, because you knew that you would never be allowed to return for as long as the present government is in control. This is an exceptional sacrifice and we salute you, many of us wives and mothers who cannot imagine how hard it was for you to make such a decision to leave your family behind you. We honour you here today for your selflessness, your heroism, your courage and the great sadness you have endured for your country.
GADIR: Claire Mallinson from Amnesty International wanted to send a message to the Burmese regime.
MALLINSON: We are here today to stand for freedom, to stand alongside Aung San Suu Kyi and to say to the Burma authorities, we are watching you and we will hold you to account.
GADIR: In recent weeks there have been some signs of movement. The Burmese Prime Minister told the just-concluded ASEAN regional summit that Suu Kyi can contribute to national reconciliation. Though what he meant by this is unclear. Less than three weeks ago, Suu Kyi was allowed a rare meeting with diplomats from Australia, the US and the UK.
The organiser of the Sydney Opera House event, federal Labor member of parliament Janelle Saffin has had a long-term involvement with the Burma democracy cause. She says indications are Aung San Suu Kyi is holding up well despite the recent extension of her house arrest.
SAFFIN: She is okay and her spirit is strong, even with the latest trials and tribulations where she was taken into Insein prison and charged with that ridiculous trumped up charge where somebody came into her house and her house is guarded by the military, but somebody broke into her house and she was charged. Her spirit was strong and she... as she says a lot of people in Burma are fearful, because of the military regime. She says fear is a habit and we have to learn not to be fearful and that's how she is and that's how she lives her life, whether she is under house arrest, Insein prison, or whether she is out with the people. So her spirit's strong and her body's strong.
