Ms Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since the military junta swept aside her opposition party's victory in the 1990 elections. Critics say she has been detained to keep her from contesting national elections later this year Some of nation's most prominent women including Australian Council of .

Trade Unions (ACTU) president Sharan Burrow, Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop and Minister for Women Tanya Plibersek have banded together to campaign against Ms Suu Kyi's arrest. Ms Bishop met with Ms Suu Kyi previously and says she is an inspiration. "As she told me her story I was struck by her resilience," she said.

"We must never rest in sending the message that the people of Burma deserve freedom and democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi deserves our absolute total commitment to her cause." The Burmese military has not set a date for her release.