Freedom From Fear - Hardcover

San, Suu Kyi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670845620 ISBN 13: 9780670845620

Publisher: Viking, 1991

Synopsis

Aung San Suu Kyi, human rights activist and leader of Burma's National League for Democracy, was detained in 1989 by SLORC, the ruling military junta, following a spontaneous uprising that swept a nation silenced by more than 25 years of political repression. Today she remains under house arrest in Rangoon, a prisoner of conscience, separated from her family and friends. Although her party won an overwhelming victory in May 1990, the military has refused either to release her or transfer power in accordance with its earlier promise. This collection of writings, edited by her husband, Michael Aris, reflects Aung San Suu Kyi's beliefs, hopes and fears for her people. Composed before her incarceration, it ranges from a portrait of her father, Aung San, the revered leader of the nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s, to essays on the literature and cultural heritage of her country, a comparative study of intellectual development in Burma and India under colonialism and a selection of essays, speeches, letters and interviews resulting from her involvement in the struggle for democracy. Together with reminiscences by two people who know her well and two independent assessments of her role in politics and the human rights movement, these writings give a voice to Burma's "woman of destiny", an individual whose spirit, courage and ideals were internationally recognized when, in 1990, she was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and in 1991 the Nobel Peace Prize.

About this title

About the Author:

Aung San Suu Kyi is the pre-democracy opposition leader in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. She has been kept under detention for most of the past two decades. Her party, the National League for Democracy, won an overwhelming victory in 1990 elections but was denied power by the military, which has ruled since 1962. She is still being held by the government of Myanmar.

From Publishers Weekly:

Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for courageous leadership of the Burmese people in their battle against authoritarian rule. The forthright condemnation of the regime that resulted in the activist's house arrest is clearly expressed in the essays in this volume. Part one--which describes Burma's political, intellectual and literary history--includes a moving yet unsentimental biography of the author's father, Aung San. Clearly a role model, though he was assassinated when she was only two, Aung San was a seminal figure in the Burmese struggle for independence in the 1940s. Part two contains a series of essays on democracy and human rights. Of particular interest is Aung San Suu Kyi's brief statement in response to a nomination for political office. Though under house arrest at the time, she accepted "out of respect for the decision taken by my party in accordance with democratic practices." Part three presents tributes to Aung San Suu Kyi by friends and scholars. Ann Pasternak Slater candidly recalls the human rights activist as a student at Oxford becoming initiated into Western ways. A visiting professor at Harvard, Aris is the author's husband. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0670845620
• ISBN 13: 9780670845620
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320