Last week, the Elders [1] – a group of powerful world leaders that share a common goal of improving the state of humanity around the world – renewed their call on the Burmese government for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi [2], a human rights advocate and fellow Elder who is viewed by many as Burma’s opposition heroine [3].

The statement was issued on June 19th, Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday, and read as follows:

“Every human has rights and they must not be denied. On the occasion of Aung San Suu Kyi’s 63rd birthday we once again call upon the Burmese government to release our fellow Elder and Nobel Laureate from house arrest. The people of Burma elected Aung San Suu Kyi to high office, placing their faith and trust in her and in the values she espoused. She and they have the right to live lives characterized by dignity and liberty. She, and they deserve no less.”

This call for the fellow Elder’s release comes roughly one month after the Elders statement on Aung San Suu Kyi [4] given by Desmond Tutu [5], Chair of the Elders.