Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Martyrs’ Day

DVB ( July 18,2003 )

It is reported that the people of Rangoon are watching with interest whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would be allowed to attend the 56th anniversary of Martyrs Day tomorrow. She was allowed to attend the ceremony year even while she was under house arrest, and why can’t she be allowed to attend the ceremony this year when she is being given ‘protective custody’ argue the NLD members in Rangoon.

Different kinds of reports concerning the likely location where Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being detained are also coming out. Some people are saying that she is being detained at Yemon military detention centre and some are saying that she is at the special detention centre at Konemyint Thaya. The military spokesman only said that she is not being detained in Insein Prison but the regime hasn’t said where she is being kept exactly.

The other extraordinary thing about this year’s Martyrs’ Day ceremony is the arrival of the older brother of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Aung San Oo and his wife Daw Lae Lae Nwe to Rangoon since the fortnight ago. Although most people believe that they came to attend the Martyrs’ Day ceremony, their early arrival is believed to be to discuss the inheritance lawsuit with the military government. The final hearings for the three-year long inheritance lawsuit against Daw Aung Suu Kyi by her brother started on the 2nd of July and the defendant lawyers were summoned to attend the court on the 28th of July.

The NLD members throughout Burma said that they will be summarily commemorating the Martyrs’ Day in nearby Buddhist monasteries or their homes as their offices are being shut down. If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were allowed to attend tomorrow’s ceremony, her pictures will be seen on TV and newspapers and these will be strong evidences that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still alive and well, said political observers.

The NLD members who live in Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions are finding it particularly difficult to commemorate the Martyrs’ Day independently as security measures are being stepped up and their offices shut down by the authorities. Nevertheless, the people of Burma are still commemorating the day by providing monks with nourishments according to the religious tradition.