Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Across the world and in Myanmar celebrations are taking place today to mark the 64th birthday of  Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent 13 of the last 19 years under house arrest after having won the 1990 elections that were never recognised by the ruling junta.  Demonstrations demanding her release will take place in at least 20 cities worldwide.  The democratic leader is currently being held in Yangon’s Insein prison, charged with having violated the terms of her house arrest, when an American citizen trespassed onto her land after swimming the lake that surrounds her home.  To underline the injustice of this latest sentence to keep her under lock and key, governments and personalities from the world of culture, entertainment and sport have organised online events and messages.  The United States and European Union have asked she be freed; Malaysia, Australia and Ireland are holding vigils and debates.

Burmese exiles have launched a website “64 for Suu” in which politicians such as Gordon Brown, actors such as Julia Roberts and George Clooney, and sports figures such as David Beckham have all left messages.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday will also be celebrated in Yangon, in the headquarters of the National League for Democracy, where a party will be held without the guest of honour, and the food will be given to the Buddhist Monks.