Opposition Joins Suu Kyi’s “Non-Violent” Struggle

Added by James Morley on November 18, 2010

In a first political move following her release, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has initiated legal action against the disbanding of her party, the National League for Democracy.

Ms Suu Kyi, said in a recent interview with the BBC that she is seeking a “non-violent revolution” in her country. Suu Kyi said: “We can’t do it [find a solution] if just one side wants a solution and the other is not keen on it.

So, what we have to do is try to persuade the military regime that national reconciliation is in everybody’s interest, including theirs.”

Two opposition leaders have said they intend to work together with Suu Kyi to oppose the ruling military junta, although they also said they intend to participate in the newly established parliament, by critics called a scam.

Most opposition parties boycotted the election, saying that their taking part would only serve to legitimise the ruling regime’s overseas recognition.

Burma is holding more than 2,000 political activists imprisoned. Human rights organisations are accusing the army of subjecting the prisoners to forced labour as well as torture.

Suu Kyi’s political mandate is somewhat unclear and it remains to be seen whether she will support an end to the economic sanctions imposed on her country by many western countries.

Suu Kyi has for many years supported the sanctions as tools for putting pressure on the junta However it is argued that they have mostly affected the lives of ordinary Burmese and have instead helped to develop strong trade relationships with countries like China.