Aung San Suu Kyi refuses food

Posted on August 26, 2008
Filed Under Burma news |

Concerns raised for Suu Kyis health

Concerns raised for Suu Kyi's health

There is speculation that Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may have begun a hunger strike in order to press the military junta to hold direct talks with her regarding the junta’s planned elections in 2010. According to the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area), Suu Kyi has not accepted food deliveries at her house in Yangon since August 15.

Mizzima is quoting Nyo Ohn Myint, the NLD-LA’s Foreign Affairs in-charge as saying, food supplies are usually delivered to Suu Kyi’s home weekly by the party’s youth members. But, he said, “She was sent the last food supply on August 15, and she reportedly told the youths not to bring her food in the following weeks.”

Suu Kyi’s food supply was due on August 22, but on her request the youths have not sent her any more supplies.

NLD representatives in Rangoon could not confirm that Suu Kyi has begun a hunger strike, as they have had no communication with her.

Last week, Suu Kyi refused to meet with UN Special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who was on a six day visit to the country. It is thought her refusal was due to her displeasure at the lack of progress in the UN’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.

In a statement, the NLD-LA said, “If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi continues to refuse food from her comrades, her health will be of serious concern.”

They added that two people living with Suu Kyi are also refusing food. They are calling on the international community to take immediate action.

Suu Kyi has been held under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years.

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