Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to an additional 18 months' house arrest by a court in Rangoon...American John Yettaw was jailed for seven years, four with hard labour. ~ BBC
The verdicts were expected. The "reduced sentence" of Aung San Suu Kyi of 18 more months of home arrest rather than the three years imprisonment with hard labor is much less harsh than I had expected.
The sentence of John Yettaw, who is reportedly physically (epilepsy and diabetes) and mentally (post-traumatic stress disorder) ill, is in effect a death sentence.
I suppose the reduced sentence is a blessing but still unjust in the eyes of the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteIt may be an unjust sentence, but my worries are for John Yattaw, this could literally kill him and is a terrible sentence.
ReplyDeleteI did think that Aung San Suu Kyi, would have a worse sentence, so am surprised that she is under house arrest for 18months, I realise this isn't an ideal situtation for her, but it is better than John Yattaw.
My heart goes out to him and his family.
Much love,
Lia xx
I just put myself in their place and felt the frustration of being a pawn of political power. It would be very hard to not feel totally disheartened. My thoughts are with them.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost as if the 18 months is "just because." What a travesty. I'm glad it is no longer, but please! And poor John Yattaw. What is wrong with those people.
ReplyDeleteAkelamalu: Yes, very unjust, especially since she has already spent 16 of the past 20 years under house arrest.
ReplyDeleteLia: I, too, am concerned about Mr. Yattaw. I understand that he was taken from hospital to the courtroom for the verdict and sentencing.
Carol: I agree. One of the things about The Lady has been her Buddha-like acceptance of the suffering she and her family have undergone for the people of Burma.
Lynilu: Yes. I think that what is "wrong" with the military junta is Burma is their desire to hold on to power. After all, Aung San Suu Kyi was the last democratically elected president of Burma. Her father was president, too, and assassinated by the same type of people when Aung San Suu Kyi was but a very young child.
ReplyDeleteBummer all around.
ReplyDeleteMike: You are so right! I just signed a petition:
ReplyDeleteTo UK and US Governments and the United Nations Security Council:
We call on you to condemn the cruel conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi to another year and a half in detention and to immediately take steps at the United Nations Security Council to create a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and hold the Burmese regime to account for crimes against humanity.
Others can sign it HERE
I've been waiting for this news. Terrible all the way around. Sending prayers for justice and healing and peace.
ReplyDeleteWhat a travesty.
Thank you for keeping us informed, Nick.
Mimi: Yes, it's unjust and tragic.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if all of the organizing and petitions regarding The Lady and the freedom of Burma that are speeding around the Internet today from all over the world are any indication, the Burmese generals may have aroused more of a response than they thought that they would or that they want!
It is dreadful and a ploy to keep ASSK out of the elections. And when the 18 months are up, they'll cook up something else.
ReplyDelete