South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu is calling for a new global effort to bring democracy to Burma, noting the many similarities between the South Asian nation and his own country in its struggle for freedom.
In an opinion piece published recently in a Johannesburg newspaper, Archbishop Tutu says just as the world was protesting South Africa's apartheid regime, pro-democracy activists in Burma were also rising up against that country's military rulers.
He also says pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has emerged as Burma's own Mandela - a reference to anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in a South African prison.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent most of the past 16 years under house arrest, celebrated her 60th birthday on Sunday.
In an opinion piece published recently in a Johannesburg newspaper, Archbishop Tutu says just as the world was protesting South Africa's apartheid regime, pro-democracy activists in Burma were also rising up against that country's military rulers.
He also says pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has emerged as Burma's own Mandela - a reference to anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in a South African prison.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent most of the past 16 years under house arrest, celebrated her 60th birthday on Sunday.