DUBLIN’S LORD Mayor Cllr Emer Costello was the first person to sign a book of solidarity that has been opened in City Hall for imprisoned Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
U2’s Bono sent a message of support for the move. The band was jointly awarded the freedom of Dublin city with Suu Kyi in 2000.
The book calls for the immediate release of the pro-democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was sentenced to a further 18 months by a military-controlled court in Burma (Myanmar) last week for breaching terms of her house arrest.
“This bunch of crooks that call themselves a government continue to rob the people of Burma of their rightful leader. This mock trial and its sham verdict is a signal not of junta strength but of fear and cowardice – fear of a 64- year-old woman whom they dare not even let walk down the street,” said Bono, who could not attend yesterday’s event due to touring obligations.
The youngest person to sign the book at its launch – which was attended by close to 30 people – was 10-year-old Naoishe Mulryan from Dublin.
Cllr Costello sited the importance of human rights awareness for young people and urged them to spread the message and support through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. “Dublin is a city that prides itself on its social conscience and young people approached me last week who were truly angry at the 18 months house arrest sentence. I realise I could have just issued a statement condemning the injustice but I wanted Dublin and its young people to have their say.”
The book of solidarity will be open to the public at Dublin’s City Hall from Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm.