RANGOON – Demonstrations have been taking place in 12 cities worldwide against Burma’s continuing detention of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
BBC Online reports that protests are being staged at Chinese embassies, as campaigners say Beijing holds the key to Ms Suu Kyi’s release.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been held by the junta, mostly under house arrest, for 12 years.
Australia is the latest country to impose sanctions on Burma’s generals, amid global condemnation of their rule.
Australian officials said the financial sanctions would target 418 individuals, including top military figures and cabinet ministers.
Rallies for the detained pro-democracy leader are being held in cities including London, Paris, Brasilia, New York, Bangkok, Sydney and Cape Town.
The coalition of charities and other groups behind the demonstrations have called on those taking part to wear Suu Kyi masks and the white cloth of Burmese political prisoners.
Six female Nobel peace laureates have jointly appealed to the UN, urging it to help Ms Suu Kyi regain her freedom.
“The detention of Aung San Suu Kyi is the most visible manifestation of the regime’s brutality but it is only the tip of the iceberg,” they wrote in an open letter published in UK newspaper The Guardian.
