Nobel Peace Prize winner and pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 18 months of extended house arrest by a court in Burma in a thinly veiled effort by Burma's military junta to keep Suu Kyi imprisoned during next year's election.

Western leaders are calling for UN Security Council action and a global arms embargo against Burma as international outrage against this sham sentence grows. China and Russia have opposed efforts to condemn Burma's junta for human rights violations in the past, and as permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto power, their support is critical to successfully pressuring the Burmese junta.

The military regime in Burma is clearly trying to silence Suu Kyi and prevent her from any involvement in the country's upcoming elections. We cannot stand by and allow her voice and the voices of those who demand freedom in Burma to be silenced.

Please ask China and Russia to join with the UN Security Council and the global community in condemning Burma's actions, calling for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma, and supporting a global arms embargo against Burma.

To:

His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Yesui
Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations

His Excellency Ambassador Vitaly Churkin
Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

I urge you to use your vote on the UN Supreme Court to condemn the sentence imposed on Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi by Burma's government, and to call for her immediate release, along with the release of all political prisoners currently being held in Burma. I also urge you to join with the international community and the UN Security Council to support a full arms embargo against Burma until these demands have been met and free and fair elections in the country have been assured.

[YOUR PERSONAL MESSAGE HERE]

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]