Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi is 65 today and still languishing in prison...

Burma’s democracy icon, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, marked her 65th birthday on Saturday locked in her dilapidated lakeside compound as calls for her freedom erupted around the world.

The US President, Mr Barack Obama, and the UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, demanded Ms Suu Kyi’s release in statements echoed at rallies and prayer vigils across the globe. Supporters at home threw a birthday party at the suburban Rangoon home of a fellow opposition member. It was attended by more than 300 people but not the guest of honour.

Holding candles and yellow roses, they lit a birthday cake with 65 candles and released 65 doves into the sky while chanting, “Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.” Plainclothes security watched and videotaped the event. Daw is a term of respect in Burma.

Ms Suu Kyi has now spent 15 birthdays in detention over the past 20 years, mostly under house arrest. She is the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner. More...

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