Hannah and Tamara campaign in Hazlehead Park
In her New Year Message, when Aung San Suu Kyi paid tribute to all those who have supported her including Amnesty, Aberdeen Amnesty could justifiably feel a touch of pride. In June 2009 we organised the planting of a jasmine bush in her honour in Hazlehead Park. The jasmine and its accompanying plaque can be viewed on the side wall of the cafeteria.
Aberdeen Amnesty has a particular interest in Burma because we have a Burmese prisoner of conscience, the monk U Gambira who was one of the leaders in the peaceful demonstrations of 2008. He is presently serving a prison sentence of 63 years as a result. We regularly write letters to the Burmese military authorities calling for his release and that of the over 2000 political prisoners still imprisoned by the regime.
Forthcoming events include the showering of Burmese military authorities with 'wet' postcards at the beginning of April to mark the Burmese Wet Festival and the showing of 'Zarganar: This Prison where I live', an excellent, professionally produced film of the Burmese comedian Zarganer who tells really funny jokes in English - the Burmese way to deal with adversity. Watch this space!
NEWS 18th January 2012: U Gambira was released from custody on 13th January 2012 (see also the 'News' section of this website). Aung San Suu Kyi will shortly be standing for election to the Burmese Parliament.
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