The Voice of Hope

Aung San Suu Kyi is known for her courageous stand for democracy and human rights inside Burma (now Myanmar). Forced to endure many years of house arrest by the military junta, she continues to act as a focus for change inside a country that is ruled by one of the most hard-line dictatorships in the world. Such is her determined action for the best interests of Burma that she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. In September 07, the Burmese monks led a powerful protest against their government, which was brutally put down. Yet, in the midst of their struggle, they still were encouraged by the sight of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is still imprisoned. One of the very few people she has trusted enough to take her message to the wider world is Alan Clements. The Voice of Hope is the result of the secret and dangerous meetings they had over several years, and offers unquestionably the most wide-ranging collection of her views on the political situation inside Burma, her non-violent approach to democracy and human rights, her Buddhist beliefs, her family, and how she keeps a sense of meaning and purpose under the most appalling conditions. Brand new material includes an inspiring discussion with U-Gambira, the leader of the All-Burma Monks Alliance, conducted after the 2007 uprising (he has since 'disappeared'). There is also an updated Chronology of Events of recent Burmese history, a new Introduction and a new list of Burma-related websites.