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"We want a system whereby the people are allowed to judge whether or not the government in power is actually working for the good of the nation or simply for the good of that government itself." 

"For this right many people in Burma have made many sacrifices. In spite of the scrutiny of international cummunity, violations of human rights in Burma, continue at a disgraceful rate." 

"Quite recently, a man in his 70's was sentenced to two years imprisonment because he had listened to the Voice of America on the radio. While he was under trial his wife, also elderly and unwell, died because she was so troubled by the pressure exerted on them by the authorities." 

In addition, she noted that, "On 18 December 1999, U Than Chaun, the 70-year old proprietor of a coffee shop in Shwe-goo township, Kachin State, was arrested and his radio which was tuned to the Voice of America Burmese broadcast was seized. On 19 January 2000, he was charged and sentenced to two years imprisonment. U Than Chaun's wife was suffering from heart ailment and high blood pressure, and she passed away while he was in prison. He himself suffers medical problems which have now become life threatening." 

Suu Kyi then asked the critical question, "In which country of the world are people so oppressed that listening to a radio deserves two years of imprisonment?" 

These excerpts are from Aung San Suu Kyi's message to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, March 2000.

VOA has broadcast Burmese 1943 to 1945 and from 1951 to the present.  The Voice of America broadcasts news and information in 53 languages to an estimated audience of 91 million people each week. 

For additional information, please contact the Office of External Affairs at (202) 619-2538.