Burmese civil rights leader Aung San Suu Kyi marked her 61st birthday under house arrest today while pro-democracy activists around the world staged protests against the military junta.
At the Town Hall in Rangoon (Yangon), a lone, male protester shouted "Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi" for several minutes in a rare public protest before police bundled him away, witnesses said.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Rallies were to be held in more than 25 countries across Asia, Europe and North America to demand the freedom of the Nobel Peace Laureate, who has spent 10 of the past 17 years in some form of detention.
But their protests are likely to be ignored in Rangoon, where the military, which has ruled the country Burma since 1962, has imposed tight security on the road outside Ms Suu Kyi's home.
Ms Suu Kyi's house arrest was extended for another year on May 27th despite international pressure and a direct appeal from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to junta leader Than Shwe to "do the right thing".
Ms Suu Kyi's latest stretch of detention began on May 30th, 2003, after clashes between her supporters and pro-junta demonstrators. Since then, she has had her telephone line cut, her mail intercepted and visitors restricted to her house maid and doctor.
A recent stomach ailment raised concerns about her limited access to regular medical care.