1 - Statement from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
2 - Statement of the UN Secretary-General
3 - EU - Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
4 - UK - British Opposition Party Leader Calls For Aung San Suu Kyi Release
5 - France utterly condemns the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and her transfer to Insein prison.
6 - New Zealand - McCully condemns detention of Aung San Suu Kyi
7 - Australian Parliamentarians for Democracy in Burma Statement
8 - The Elders call for release of fellow Elder Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
9 - Canada Deeply Concerned Over New Charges Against Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
10 - Ireland - Minister for Foreign Affairs condemns the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
11 - Norway demands release of Aung San Suu Kyi
12 - Bono, Clooney, Madonna, McCain, Tutu—Call for Release of Burmese Leader Aung San Suu Kyi
13 - USA - Statement of US Secretary Of State, Hillary Clinton
15 - Philippines - Statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo on the Detention of Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison 17 May 2009
16 - Switzerland appeals to release all Political Prisoners in Myanmar
17 - ASEAN MPs condemn Myanmar military regime actions and takes ASEAN to task
18 - Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Wangari Mathaai, Shirin Ebadi, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan Maguire open letter to Asean Secretariat.
19 - Japan - Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the situation in Myanmar (lawsuit against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi)
20 - Germany - Deeply concerned about the situation and health of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
21 - Austria - "Immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi" - Federal Ministry for European and international Affairs
22 - United Nations Special Rapporteur calls for release of Aung San Suu Kyi
23 - South Africa - COSATU condemns Burma’s military junta
24 - ABMA, 88 Generation Students & ABFSU condemn the Burma's military government for its imprisonment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and will oppose by any means including mass protests
25 - KNU Statement on Charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
26 - RELEASE DAW SUU IMMEDIATELY - ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
27 - Club De Madrid Letter to Ban Ki-moon
28 – UK - Message of Support from Lord Provost John R Letford, Dundee
29 - Singapore - Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Spokesman’s Comments
30 - UK- Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Open Letter to Aung San Suu Kyi
1 - UK- Statement from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Prime Minister's Statement
14.05.2009
“I am deeply disturbed that Aung San Suu Kyi may be charged with breaching the terms of her detention. The Burmese regime is clearly intent on finding any pretext, no matter how tenuous, to extend her unlawful detention. The real injustice, the real illegality, is that she is still detained in the first place. If the 2010 elections are to have any semblance of credibility, she and all political prisoners must be freed to participate. Only then will Burma be set on the road to real democracy, stability and prosperity.”
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2 - UN - Statement of the UN Secretary-General
14.05.2009
Read out today at the Secretary-General's Spokesperson's noon briefing:
"The Secretary-General is gravely concerned about the news that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to the Insein Prison to face criminal charges. The Secretary-General believes that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is an essential partner for dialogue in Myanmar’s national reconciliation and calls on the Government not to take any further action that could undermine this important process. As he has said repeatedly, the Secretary-General believes strongly that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all those who have a contribution to make to the future of their country must be free to be able to do so to ensure that the political process is credible.
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3 - EU - Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
14.05.2009
The EU deeply regrets that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League of Democracy, and members of her household have been arrested and charged with breaching the terms of her detention, which the United Nations had determined violates international and national law. It is especially striking that these events practically coincide with the expiry of her house arrest.
The EU strongly urges Burma/Myanmar's authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi and engage in an inclusive process of national reconciliation, which is essential for setting Burma/Myanmar on a genuine path to stability and prosperity and initiate a new phase in the development of the country.
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4 - UK - British Opposition Party Leader Calls For Aung San Suu Kyi Release
14.05.2009
Commenting on the latest reports from Burma about Aung San Suu Kyi, David Cameron said:
“We are shocked by the news that Aung San Suu Kyi and her doctor have been transferred to Insein Prison and by reports that she is being denied the medical treatment she desperately needs.
“This innocent woman has been illegally detained by the Burmese authorities for the last 13 years. She has been denied her liberty, just as the Burmese people have been denied theirs.
“Her imprisonment in Insein Prison is yet another attempt to suppress democracy in Burma and shut off this courageous leader from her people.
“We call for her immediate release, for the UN and ASEAN to immediately send envoys to Burma, and for an end to this travesty of justice.”
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5 - France utterly condemns the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and her transfer to Insein prison.
Paris, 14.05.09
Joint statement by Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, and Rama Yade, Minister of State responsible for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights
This decision is even more unacceptable in that the Nobel Peace Prizewinner’s health has deteriorated over the past several days. We reiterate our condemnation of her doctor’s arrest last week.
France holds the Burmese authorities responsible for the conditions under which Aung San Suu Kyi is being detained and for any further deterioration in her state of health. Her release is becoming more urgent than ever.
France again condemns the Burmese authorities’ repeated human rights violations. She calls on the Burmese government to release unconditionally Aung San Suu Kyi and the leaders of the Burmese opposition and begin a necessary dialogue with them, the only way to confer on the elections scheduled in 2010 a legitimacy and credibility which, in the current circumstances, they totally lack.
We are keen to discuss the political and human rights situation in Burma with our European Union partners at Monday’s General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting.
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6 - New Zealand - McCully condemns detention of Aung San Suu Kyi
15.05.09
Foreign Minister Murray McCully today condemned the apparent imprisonment of Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
"This is totally unacceptable. The only thing Aung San Suu Kyi is guilty of is standing up for the rights of the Burmese people in the face of appalling repression," Mr McCully said.
"Reports from Burma say Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under home detention for many years, was taken from her house yesterday to a
Rangoon prison
"The reports say the arrest came after unauthorised visits by supporters, and that Aung San Suu Kyi is likely to stand trial for breaches of detention conditions. She could face a substantial prison term if found guilty
"This action is yet another setback for Burma, and throws more doubt over the credibility of the planned 2010 elections.
"The Burmese government must release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately, and take meaningful steps towards the restoration of democracy," Mr McCully said.
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7 - Australian Parliamentarians for Democracy in Burma Statement
Aung San Suu Kyi was to face court at 9 am this morning alleged to have broken the conditions of her house arrest. This is a grave development and the Australian Parliamentarians for Democracy in Burma (APDB) believe that the Burmese military dictatorship is using this incident as an opportunity to illegally extend Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest, which is due to expire 24 May 2009.
Earlier this year, the UN working group on arbitrary detention stated that Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest was illegal under international, and Burmese, law. However, this decision may be the trigger for these new charges.
It is also unclear what has transpired with regards to the US swimmer John Yettaw. That issue also needs to be clarified, as soon as possible, by the Burmese authorities and the US Embassy in Rangoon.
APDB firmly believe that the Burmese military junta has no intention of releasing Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader of Burma, or of implementing democratic reforms in Burma. General Than Shwe, Head of the SPDC, must be held to account by the international community.
Last year, Burma’s military junta extended Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest illegally for a sixth year and APDB believes they are trying to extend it yet again. She has been under house arrest, on and off, since 1989.
Laurie Ferguson MP , Senator Marise Payne, Senator Scott Ludlam, Janelle Saffin MP
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8 - The Elders call for release of fellow Elder Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
14 May 2009, London. World leaders must not tolerate latest attempt to extend her imprisonment
Desmond Tutu: Release our sister now! Absurd ‘trial’ is an excuse to extend her incarceration.
Jimmy Carter: We stand by Aung San Suu Kyi and call on world leaders to demand her immediate release.
Mary Robinson: Aung San Suu Kyi has been illegally imprisoned for 13 years – this trial is also illegal.
On Monday 18 May the Burmese political leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is to be put on trial. Along with her two housekeepers and US citizen John Yettaw, she has been charged with violating the terms of her house arrest. All those charged, including Aung San Suu Kyi, are currently being held in Insein maximum security prison outside Yangon where numerous other political prisoners are also detained. The trial will be held inside the prison.
The Elders, of whom Aung San Suu Kyi is an honorary member, urge world leaders not to tolerate this latest attempt by the military regime in Burma/Myanmar to extend her detention, which has been found to be illegal by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s latest period of house arrest began in 2003 and is due to expire on 27 May 2009. Her Burmese lawyer U Kyi Win says the latest charges carry a penalty of up to 5 years in prison.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chair of the Elders said: “This so-called trial is absurd. It is an excuse by the junta to extend her incarceration yet again. Our sister must be released immediately!”
President Jimmy Carter said: “The regime is clearly seeking reasons not to release her. We stand by Aung San Suu Kyi, our fellow Elder, and urge the United Nations and ASEAN to dispatch envoys to Burma to demand her immediate release.”
Mary Robinson said: “Aung San Suu Kyi has been illegally detained for 13 years. This trial is just as illegal. It is not credible for the government to persist with this strategy in order to extend her imprisonment. She should be freed immediately. ”
Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained alone in her home in Yangon for 13 of the past 19 years by the military junta of Burma/Myanmar.
Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel, who co-founded The Elders, invited Aung San Suu Kyi to join the group when it was formally convened in 2007. Because of her ongoing house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi has been unable to join her fellow Elders, who nevertheless always keep an empty chair for her at their meetings.
About The Elders
The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel, who offer their collective influence and experience to help resolve conflicts, address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.
The Elders are Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Brundtland, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Graça Machel, Mary Robinson, Desmond Tutu (Chair) and Muhammad Yunus. Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi are honorary Elders.
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9 - Canada Deeply Concerned Over New Charges Against Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement denouncing the continued, unlawful detention of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi:
“Canada is seriously concerned with the new charges laid against Aung San Suu Kyi, and calls upon the Burmese regime to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the people of Burma.
“Recent concerns regarding Aung San Suu Kyi’s health will only be heightened by her transfer to harsh prison conditions. Canada strongly urges the Burmese authorities to provide appropriate medical care to all inmates in its prisons and to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, a number of whom suffer from serious health problems.
“Freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are values fundamental to Canada’s foreign policy. Canada believes that the elections planned for 2010 will only be credible if the Burmese regime unconditionally frees all political prisoners and allows opposition groups to participate freely in the electoral process.
“Canada continues to urge the Burmese authorities to engage in genuine dialogue with the democratic opposition and ethnic minorities. We have shown our solidarity with the people of Burma by imposing the toughest sanctions in the world on the regime and by conferring honorary Canadian citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi.”
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10 - Ireland - Minister for Foreign Affairs condemns the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D., has condemned the arrest on 14 May of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma and Nobel Peace laureate. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested in connection with the illegal intrusion of a US tourist who entered her compound in early May. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to be tried on 18 May.
The Minister said:
“I utterly deplore the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma and esteemed Nobel Peace laureate, her imprisonment in the notorious Insein Prison in Rangoon, and plans to bring her to trial on Monday.
Her arrest is the latest chapter in an ongoing effort to silence this courageous pro-democracy advocate and opposition leader before, during and after the elections which are due to be held in 2010. Her arrest and incarceration at this time are particularly distressing, given the very real concerns regarding her state of health.
I have repeatedly made clear the Government's demand that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, together with all political prisoners in Burma, should be released at once and a process of dialogue and national reconciliation initiated.
I will continue to work in the EU and UN frameworks and with the countries of the region to do all possible to advance these objectives.”
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11 - Norway demands release of Aung San Suu Kyi
In connection with the initiation of court proceedings against Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Insein Prison in Rangoon today, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre made the following comment:
“The Norwegian Government is concerned about reports that Aung San Suu Kyi has been imprisoned, and demands that she is released immediately. Norway has repeatedly insisted that the regime in Burma must release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.
“The imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi is a step in the wrong direction. I will today instruct Norwegian diplomatic missions to raise the matter with the countries in the region, including China and India, as well as with the UN Secretary General.”
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 13 of the last 19 years under arrest, including the last six. Her present house arrest comes to an end on 27 May. It is reported that the next court hearing will be on 18 May.
“Recent reports about the state of Aung San Suu Kyi’s health also give grounds for concern. I expect her to be given proper medical attention. I am therefore concerned about reports that her doctor was arrested last week,” added Mr Støre.
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12 - Bono, Clooney, Madonna, McCain, Tutu—Call for Release of Burmese Leader Aung San Suu Kyi
Not On Our Watch unites politicians, entertainers, artists in support of incarcerated Burmese freedom fighter
(NEW YORK, NY – May 15, 2009) As the ruling Burmese military junta attempts to prolong the unlawful imprisonment of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Not On Our Watch, the international advocacy and aid organization, has united preeminent voices from across the cultural, political, and social spheres in a call to the international community and the United Nations to press for the release of the Burmese freedom fighter.
“Nineteen years ago, the Burmese people chose Aung San Suu Kyi to be their next leader. And for most of those 19 years she has been kept under house arrest by the military junta that now runs the country. She is the world’s only incarcerated Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Yesterday Suu Kyi was taken to Burma’s Insein prison to face criminal charges as part of a concerted plan to deny her freedom.
We must not stand by as she is silenced once again. Now is the time for the United Nations and the entire international community to speak clearly, and with one voice: Free Aung San Suu Kyi.”
Endorsed by Not On Our Watch founders George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon, signatories to the statement also include cultural icons Bono, Madonna, Steven Spielberg, Nobel Laureates Professor Elie Wiesel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and Senator John McCain, among others.
The head of Burma’s leading opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi was first placed under house arrest 19 years ago. Following nationwide elections in 1990 in which the NLD won 82 percent of the vote, the ruling Burmese military junta extended Suu Kyi’s imprisonment and refused to recognize the results. For 13 of the past 19 years, she has been under house arrest in the Burmese capital of Rangoon. The UN has declared that her incarceration not only “violates international law but also national domestic laws of Myanmar [Burma].”
Originally scheduled to be released at the end of May 2009, a bizarre turn of events has thrown Suu Kyi’s future into doubt. Earlier this month, an American unlawfully swam to her compound, staying there for two nights against Suu Kyi’s wishes. Upon the discovery of this visit, Burmese authorities arrested the intruder, and on May 14, took Suu Kyi to the Insein prison to face criminal charges aimed at further extending her incarceration. They have declared that she will stand trial on May 18.
FREE AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Nineteen years ago, the Burmese people chose Aung San Suu Kyi to be their next leader. And for most of those 19 years she has been kept under house arrest by the military junta that now runs the country. She is the world’s only incarcerated Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Yesterday Suu Kyi was taken to Burma’s Insein prison to face criminal charges as part of a concerted plan to deny her freedom.
We must not stand by as she is silenced once again. Now is the time for the United Nations and the entire international community to speak clearly, and with one voice: Free Aung San Suu Kyi.
In support, (partial list, for full list please see www.notonourwatchproject.org
Sec. Madeleine Albright, Bono, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Václav Havel, Norman Lear, Madonna, Sen. John & Cindy McCain, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Brad Pitt, Salman Rushdie, Steven Spielberg, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Elie Wiesel
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13 - USA - Statement of US Secretary Of State, Hillary Clinton
May 14, 2009
I am deeply troubled by the Burmese Government’s decision to charge Aung San Suu Kyi for a baseless crime. It comes just before the six-year anniversary of her house arrest, and it is not in keeping with the rule of law, the ASEAN charter, or efforts to promote national reconciliation and progress in Burma.
We oppose the regime’s efforts to use this incident as a pretext to place further unjustified restrictions on her, and therefore we call on the Burmese authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally, along with her doctor and the more than 2,100 political prisoners currently being held.
I have a great admiration for Aung San Suu Kyi, for her sacrifices and her love of her country. There are certainly political differences that exist in any society. The minister and I understand that. But we all should be striving to enhance the rule of law. And the ASEAN charter, which the minister and I spoke about in our meeting, sets a very clear direction for all the countries in the region to be headed.
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14 - Nobel Laureates Call for Release of Aung San Suu Kyi
We six women Nobel Peace Laureates—Jody Williams, Mairead Maguire, Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Betty Williams and Rigoberta Menchu Tum—call for the immediate release of Burma’s democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi from prison. We are shocked and appalled by the Burmese junta’s imprisonment of our sister Nobel Peace Laureate. Already detained under house arrest against Burma’s own laws, her transfer to Burma’s notorious Insein prison is a stark illustration of the brutality and lawlessness of the regime, which now holds more than 2000 democracy activists in prison.
Aung San Suu Kyi is ill and in need of medical treatment. Her doctor, who tried to tend to her last week, was detained on Thursday, May 7, and unable to visit her. Aung San Suu Kyi’s imprisonment in a prison notorious for its mistreatment of prisoners poses a significant threat to her health. We are deeply concerned for our colleague. The people of Burma have suffered unimaginable injustices and human rights abuses over five decades of dictatorship. As a strong voice for freedom and nonviolence, Aung San Suu Kyi represents the best hope for a peaceful and democratic future for Burma.
Along with the other political prisoners and activists within Burma, she must be free to do her work.
Nearly two years ago, in September 2007, a significant nonviolent movement of monks, nuns and democracy activists demonstrated against the military regime in what is now called the Saffron Revolution. The demonstrations continued for 11 days before the military started killing and arresting demonstrators, opening fire on large crowds. In response, some countries introduced new sanctions, the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN) issued a statement—and the UN Security Council did nothing.
The people of Burma were left alone in their nonviolent struggle against a brutal regime. Less than a year later, the regime in Burma capitalized on a devastating cyclone to arrest still more activists and ratify a new constitution through a fraudulent referendum, held mere days after the storm. Now Aung San Suu Kyi has been put in prison. What will take for the international community to respond?
We urge the international community to exert immediate pressure on Burma to release Aung San Suu Kyi and, specifically, for the Security Council of the United Nations to issue a resolution denouncing the imprisonment. Equally important, an effective global arms embargo—and an end to the arms sales to Burma from China and Russia in particular—is more urgent then ever. Burma’s chief economic partners cannot, in good conscience, stand by while Burma’s rulers violently repress the democratic aspirations of their people and lock up those who seek nonviolent change. We strongly urge Burma’s
allies in the ASEAN, and in China, to denounce Burma’s actions.
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15 - Philippines - Statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo on the Detention of Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison 17 May 2009
17.05.09
The Philippine Government is deeply troubled and outraged over the filing of trumped up charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her transfer to Insein prison, particularly when concerns have been raised regarding her health condition.
These recent incidents will surely impede the process of national reconciliation and the Roadmap to Democracy in Myanmar.
We urge the government of Myanmar to resolve the matter speedily, and to release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately and unconditionally.
The Myanmar Government need not be sidetracked by the recent trumped up charges. As we have conveyed earlier, it is high time for the Myanmar Government to carry out its own “Roadmap for Democracy”: its avowed program of releasing political detainees, including unfettering the National League for Democracy, and allowing its unconditional participation in free elections.
Fulfilling these commitments is long overdue.
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16 - Switzerland appeals to release all Political Prisoners in Myanmar
15.05.2009
The Swiss government is concerned about reports of deterioration in the state of health of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her transfer to a prison. The Swiss Government appeals to the Government of Myanmar to release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners in the country, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Respect for human rights is a fundamental condition for achieving the rule of law, national reconciliation and democracy. The Government of Switzerland is seriously concerned that persons continue to be arrested and imprisoned in the Union of Myanmar solely on account of their peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, or solely on the basis of their peaceful political activities. Switzerland deplores the fact that the number of political prisoners has increased in the last two years and today totals over 2000. This practice constitutes a serious violation of international human rights law and is having generally adverse effects on peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar.
Some years ago the Swiss Government took note with interest of the announced roadmap to democracy. However, despite the recent adoption of a constitution and the announcement of elections in 2010, the Swiss Government deeply regrets that the Government of Myanmar has not followed up the roadmap with convincing measures to strengthen and sustain its credibility.
The Swiss Government appeals to the Government of Myanmar to enter into serious and systematic cooperation with the United Nations with a view to improving compliance with human rights in the country.
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17 - ASEAN MPs condemn Myanmar military regime actions and takes ASEAN to task
14.05.2009
The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) unequivocally condemns the actions of Myanmar’s military regime in detaining and charging Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and calls on tougher action by ASEAN.
Parliamentarians from countries in ASEAN strongly call on its leaders to intervene in the current debacle by urging their Myanmar counterparts to release Aung San Suu Kyi and to be firm with the regime in respecting principles in the ASEAN Charter that are clearly breached in this instance.
“What has happened to Aung San Suu Kyi and her female companions is shocking and upsetting. It is shameful and illogical.
“Our Parliamentarians have always reminded ASEAN leaders not to fall for the fallacy of the regime’s image making. This current manipulation and misuse of the law and legal systems in Myanmar is what the regime are famous for and ASEAN buys into it,” said AIPMC President Kraisak Choonhavan, speaking from Bangkok.
AIPMC views the current trial as an appalling ploy of the regime to convict and extend Aung San Suu Kyi’s already lengthy and unjust detention.
“The purpose here clearly is to stretch her detention, past its supposed expiry date this month, and through to the controversial elections in 2010, which is an apparent important plank of the junta’s sham 12-step roadmap to democracy,” AIPMC Vice-President Lim Kit Siang added from Kuala Lumpur.
Additionally over 50 Parliamentarians from Indonesia, supportive of AIPMC’s calls, have sent an appeal letter to the President of Indonesia urging action.
“Indonesia should show its leadership in ASEAN by not tolerating repressive measures against democracy in any country in the region. We as Indonesian parliamentarians want to see reconciliation between the military junta, the opposition and the various ethnic groups in Myanmar,” said Indonesia’s former attorney general and AIPMC member Marzuki Darusman.
AIPMC also urges ASEAN to review it engagement policies and soft approach to the regime, which have yielded little positive results, if nothing else, have made the regime braver in its repressiveness.
“ASEAN has so far been too lenient in its stance on anti-democratic developments in Myanmar. The US and European Union have already taken more advanced steps. ASEAN should adopt an even firmer stance, than the US and the EU, on happenings in Myanmar,” AIPMC member Eva Kusuma Sundari added from Jakarta.
AIPMC Senior Adviser Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also urged ASEAN leaders to use its leverage over the regime to ensure Aung San Suu Kyi is provided with necessary medical attention.
“In light of her poor health over the last week and the fact that she has been denied access to her personal physician, the latest action by the military junta against her is deeply troubling.
“I humbly appeal to ASEAN to speak out and take action to ensure that Aung San Suu Kyi, and the people of Myanmar, enjoy basic human rights that are already recognised and enjoyed by others throughout the world,”
said Dr. Wan Azizah.
AIPMC further urges regional and world leaders to come together and find an immediate resolution to the political stalemate in Myanmar.
“World leaders must solve this crisis once and for all. And they should do so in an urgent fashion. The junta’s behaviour and abuse is unacceptable and must be brought to an end. The regime must be held accountable. Burma’s people cannot afford any more political appeasing,”
added AIPMC Vice-President Son Chhay, speaking from Phnom Penh.
AIPMC acknowledges the strong statements and actions on the matter made by leaders, activists and prominent figures around the world and urges continued pressure on Myanmar and ASEAN to act accordingly.
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General, ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia
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18 - Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Wangari Mathaai, Shirin Ebadi, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan Maguire open letter to Asean Secretariat.
14.05.09
Dear Secretary General,
We are writing to you to urge your immediate action against the false imprisonment of our friend and fellow Nobel Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi. As you probably know, Ms. Suu Kyi was arrested May 14, 2009 for supposedly breaking the terms of her unlawful detainment by the military junta of Burma and placed in the notorious Insein Prison.
It is clear that this is an excuse by the military junta to add trumped-up charges at a time when her unlawful detention was scheduled to end May 27, 2009. She is to stand trial on Monday, May 18th. The trial is a mockery. There is no judicial system in Burma.
We are extremely concerned about the health of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. As you know, she was diagnosed with low blood pressure and dehydration. Her personal physician has been imprisoned along with the two women who take care of her. They have all been taken to Insein Prison, which is infamous for its inhumane and treacherous conditions, where prisoners endure mental and physical torture.
We are outraged by the deplorable actions of the military junta against Ms. Suu Kyi and strongly encourage challenge this obvious harassment and intimidation of our fellow Nobel Laureate. We urge you to do everything possible to procur her release. The protection of Ms. Suu Kyi and other peaceful political leaders in Burma is integral in maintaining the prosperity and stability of the country and the Southeast Asian region. Aung San Suu Kyi needs ASEAN to use its political power and esteem in this dire time of need.
It is time for the ASEAN and the international community to join in voicing their outrage for this horrible injustice. We urgently express our views to you and implore you to do everything in your power to free this internationally champion of non violence, human rights and democracy.
Yours sincerely,
Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Wangari Mathaai, Shirin Ebadi, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan Maguire
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19 - Japan - Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the situation in Myanmar (lawsuit against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi)
15.05.09
Regarding the case that on May 14 (Thu), Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest, was transferred to Insein Prison where a trial was held in the special court, Japan expresses its deep concern, and will keep observing the situation.
In the morning of May 15 (Fri), Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Director General for Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, MOFA, delivered the view of the Government of Japan to H.E. Hla Mynt, Ambassador of Myanmar to Japan, saying that the Government of Japan observes the situation with deep concern, and hopes that democratization in Myanmar will be promoted with participation of all the parties concerned and that international community could give a high regard for a general election in 2010.
Japan strongly hopes that the democratization process in Myanmar will be advanced at an early time, in a way that involves all the parties concerned including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
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20 - Germany - Deeply concerned about the situation and health of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
14.05.09
We are deeply concerned about the situation and health of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. We urge the Myanmar government to dismiss the process and immediately lift her house arrest.
Only a policy that includes all political and ethnic groups can lead to permanent reconciliation and stability in Myanmar.
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21 - Austria - "Immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi" - Federal Ministry for European and international Affairs
15.05.09
Plassnik: We are talking about a courageous politician and the future of Burma
Vienna,–"The next step can only be the immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kiy," stated Ursula Plassnik today. The Special Representative for International Women's Issues at the Austrian Foreign Ministryexpressed her greatconcern about the renewed and grossly arbitrary actions taken against the leader of the Burmese opposition. "The international community cannot tolerate this. We are talking about a courageous politician, and we are also talking about a better future for Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi is a beacon of hope for her compatriots and an impressive example of non-violent resistance. We must not allow her to be robbed of her most fundamental human rights. The international community and above all the United Nations have to do everything in their power to finally secure freedom and recognition for the leader of the Burmese opposition," said Plassnik.
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22 - United Nations Special Rapporteur calls for release of Aung San Suu Kyi
14.05.09
GENEVA -- The United Nations Special Rapporteur on situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, expressed serious concern Thursday regarding the unlawful detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD), and called for her unconditional release.
According to information received by Ojea Quintana, Aung San Suu Kyi and two aides were escorted this morning by security forces to Insein prison. They appeared before a special court and were charged under article 22 of the State Protection law. Their trial has been scheduled for 18 May 2009. They are currently detained in the Insein compound.
The new charges are said to be in connection with the recent intrusion of an American citizen into the home of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for the past six years. “Since her house is well guarded by security forces, the responsibility for preventing such intrusions, and alerting the authorities, lies with the security forces and not with Aung San Suu Kyi and her aides,” Ojea Quintana said.
Ojea Quintana said that Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention has been in contravention of Articles 9, 10 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as Myanmar’s own State Protection Law of 1975 under which she was initially charged in 2003, which allows for a maximum of five years’ detention – meaning she should have been released a year ago.
“I call on the Government of Myanmar to release Aung San Suu Kyi and her aides unconditionally,” Ojea Quintana said. He added that in order to ensure national reconciliation and democratic transition, to which the Myanmar leadership has committed itself, all 2156 prisoners of conscience currently detained by the authorities should be released before the 2010 elections.
For more information or interview requests, please call + 41 22 928 9214
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23 - South Africa - COSATU condemns Burma’s military junta
16.05.09
The military Junta ruling Myanmar (Burma) continues to frustrate the legitimate aspirations of the Burmese people, particularly the winner of the last democratic elections, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained without trial for more than 13 of the last 20 years, with the military refusing to recognise her National League for Democracy's (NLD) landslide victory in the country's last elections in 1990.
Aung San Suu Kyi, also a Nobel Peace laureate, has been again charged with violating the terms of her house arrest after an American allegedly sneaked into her home, according to her lawyer. Her trial will start on May 18, with the possibility of a five-year jail term. She was taken, with two female aides who live with her, from her home in Yangon on Thursday morning and driven to Insein prison. The trial is seen as another way of seeking to extend her house arrest which officially expires on May 27.
The American said to have sparked the furore is John William Yettaw, who was arrested last week for allegedly swimming across a lake to secretly enter Aung San Suu Kyi’s home in Yangon and stayed there for two days.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions will continue to call on the international community to boycott the Myanmar military junta and support the struggle for democracy, particularly to recognise Aung San Suu Kyi’s right to resume her position as the democratically elected leader of the Burmese people. We shall continue to interact with the workers and oppressed peoples of Burma to raise the international profile of their struggle.
COSATU further notes that following last year’s disastrous floods in that country, the military junta has continued to deny people access to humanitarian aid. The UN’s efforts towards the democratisation of the country are noteworthy, but far more needs to be done and only the global progressive movement, central to which is the trade union movement, can make decisive headways in ensuring that effective pressure is put to effectively isolate the junta and ensure an advance towards democracy.
The federation will continue to raise the profile of the Burmese people’s struggle and mobilise whatever support is possible towards that end. We also call on the South African government to terminate relations with the military junta and send their embassy in Pretoria packing.
Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets
Braamfontein, 2017
P.O. Box 1019, Johannesburg, 2000, SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24
Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667
Cell: 0828217456, E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za
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24 - ABMA, 88 Generation Students & ABFSU condemn the Burma's military government for its imprisonment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and will oppose by any means including mass protests
No. 2/2009(ABMA+88G+ABFSU)
17.05.09
1. The six-year term of house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is to end on May 27, 2009. Not only the Burmese people but also the international community have been aware of this fact and that the Burmese military regime does not have any possible legal grounds to extending the terms of her house arrest under Article 10 (B) of the Act of "Protection the State from Danger of Subversive Elements". Therefore, the junta had no choice but to release her.
2. The military regime no doubt felt that if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released, she would inevitably become the vanguard challenger to the junta's campaign plan and the strongest opposition to the 2010 Elections and the unilaterally enacted 2008 Constitution which ultimately entrenches permanent military rule in Burma.
3. Thus the military government has made an attempt to hush its biggest obstacle and made a political plot against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by charging her under Article 22 relating to the case of a foreigner invading into her home. It is clear that she did not make any effort to break her house arrest, and why would she, when she was so close to completing the terms of her house arrest. If there is any fault to be had in the situation, the total responsibility lies with the military regime failure to take the necessary security precautions.
4. Instead of taking full responsibility for their security breach, the regime is now trying to jail Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and is finding a ploy to detain her without just cause. This is the latest exemplification of the regime’s complete disregard to international law and respect for fundamental freedoms.
5. Furthermore, it is clearly indicative of the military junta’s rejection of holding genuine political dialogue and national reconciliation with the National League for Democracy (NLD) that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and various international bodies such as the United Nations, European Union, The United States, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have consistently asked for. This latest action on the regime’s part is also an obvious and deliberate attempt by the military regime to refrain from the "Shwe-gone-dine Declaration" released by the NLD after its two-day meeting on April 28 and 29, 2009.
6. We stand united with the world leaders who have expressed concern over the case of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and demand for her release. However, our past 20 years of experience in dealing with the military regime has taught us one thing: it does not respond to any verbal and/or written statements. Therefore, we seriously urge the international community along with the United Nations to act immediately with concrete measures on the Burmese military junta for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
7. We call all political forces for Free Aung San Suu Kyi to mobilize all over Burma, by holding praying sessions in homes, places of worship for her release, and holding silent peaceful rallies in front of Insein Prison each day until she is released from now on to the court hearing.
8. We, the All Burma Monks Alliance (ABMA), 88 Generation Students and All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) strongly condemn the military government for its bullying over Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and will oppose this latest atrocity using any means until Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is freed.
All Burma Monks' Alliance (ABMA), The 88 Generation Students, All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU)
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25 - KNU Statement on Charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS - KAREN NATIONAL UNION - KAWTHOOLEI
17.05.09
KNU Statement on Charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
The US citizen, John W. Yettaw, who swam across Inya Lake and entered Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s (Daw Suu) residence, is clearly a mentally unbalanced person. He should have been sent to a mental hospital for treatment and the security for Daw Suu should have been enhanced. Instead, the SPDC military dictatorship is accusing Daw Suu of protecting a criminal and preparing to subject her to a criminal trial, in the notorious Insein Jail.
For her activism to free the people of Burma from tyrannical and arbitrary rule, for winning the Nobel Peace laureate for her peace effort and for leading her party to win a landslide victory in the 1990 elections, Daw Suu has been unlawfully detained by the dictatorship, time and again, for 13 of the past 19 years. It is clear that the vengeful and hate-laden SPDC dictators are plotting to further extend the detention of her beyond the 2010 elections, they are preparing to hold.
Obviously, the SPDC is using the incident as an opportunity to cause even more harm to Daw Suu, similar to the attack on her and her entourage, at Depeyin. It is clear that under influence of the perverted ideology of total control, the SPDC dictators have no sense yet for national reconciliation, peace and justice.
We, the KNU, strongly condemn this vengeful and confrontational act by the SPDC dictatorship against the people’s leader, Daw Suu, and call upon it to release her and all the political prisoners immediately.
It is our perception that the dictatorship has been emboldened to the extent of committing crimes tantamount to crimes against humanity, time and again, by the policy of appeasement and pseudo-national reconciliation process promoted by some wooly-headed Burma experts, INGOs and opportunist groups.
6. In conclusion, we call upon justice and peace loving leaders of the world to concertedly push the SPDC military dictatorship onto the right tract of meaningful dialogue, with leaders of democratic and ethnic forces, for genuine national reconciliation, lasting peace and progress.
The Executive Committee
Karen National Union
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26 - RELEASE DAW SUU IMMEDIATELY - ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION
14.05.09
We strongly denounce the new charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. SPDC is very unjust to accuse her of violating the law following US national John Yettaw swam to her lakeside house. Daw Suu did not invite John but she told him to leave her home. The accident was merely breach of security where the authorities watched over her house.
The trial against her in the notorious Insein Jail is nothing but a design to justify another extension of her yearlong detention, which ends May 27, 2009. The United Nations and international jurors have had said that her house arrest is illegal even under Burmese law.
We also express our concern that her transfer from her home to notorious Insein jail will aggravate her health due to the harsh prison condition.
We urge upon the international community, the United Nations, EU, ASEAN and neighbouring India and China to put pressure on the SPDC:
To provide proper medical care to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all inmates.
To immediately release Daw Suu and all other political prisoners.
To engage in genuine dialogue with the democratic forces and ethnic nationalities on the basis of all-inclusive democratic and political process.
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27 - Club De Madrid Letter to Ban Ki-moon
Mr. Ban Ki-moon
Secretary General
United Nations
UN Headquarters
First Avenue 46th Street
New York, NY 10017 May 15, 2009
Dear Mr. Secretary General,
We write this letter in connection with the imprisonment of Honorary Member of the Club de Madrid and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the unjustified charges raised against her by the Burmese military junta.
As you are aware, on 11 October 2007, the United Nations Security Council issued a presidential statement calling on the Burmese military junta to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
In defiance of the United Nations Security Council, the Burmese junta has not only almost doubled the number of political prisoners, but now also imprisoned and charged Aung San Suu Kyi with breaching the terms of her house arrest. Hearing of the court will start on 18 May, 2009. The charges carry a maximum jail term of five years.
Club de Madrid condemns the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi in the strongest terms. We urge you to make use of every possible means, including considering to travel to Burma on behalf of the United Nations, to press for her immediate release.
Yours sincerely,
Ricardo Lagos Mary Robinson Kjell Magne Bondevik
President Vice President Board member
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28 – UK - Message of Support from Lord Provost John R Letford, Dundee
(Letford John):
Democracy continues to be ignored in Burma through the disgraceful and cynical
exercise of ensuring that Aung San Suu Kyi can play no part in her country's
future.
When will the free world take the necessary steps to remove this immoral and
discredited regime.
John R Letford
Lord Provost
Dundee, Scotland
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Singapore - Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Spokesman's Comments
In response to media queries that the Singapore Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua was among three Ambassadors invited to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 20 May 2009 in Yangon, the MFA Spokesman said:
The Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) had today invited members of the diplomatic community to observe the ongoing trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Insein Prison in Yangon. The Myanmar MOFA also invited the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, currently the Singapore Ambassador, as well as a representative of Thailand as the
ASEAN Chair and a representative from Russia, as the current President of the United Nations Security Council, to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the adjournment of her trial this afternoon.
Our Ambassador in Yangon Mr Robert Chua has reported that the meeting took place at a guest house within Insein Prison. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi informed the diplomatic representatives that she and her two housekeepers are well and being well treated by the Myanmar authorities. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also informed the three diplomatic representatives that there could be many opportunities for national reconciliation if all parties so wished, and that she did not wish to use the intrusion into her home as a way to get at the Myanmar authorities. She also expressed the view that it was not too late for something good to come out of this unfortunate incident. As Dean and an behalf of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Chua expressed the hope that there would be peaceful national reconciliation and that representatives of the diplomatic corps would be able to meet both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar leaders regularly.
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30 - UK- Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Open Letter to Aung San Suu Kyi
19 May 2009
Dear Daw Suu
The Burmese regime continues to resist the righteous clamour from your people and from the international community for your release. As you and the Burmese people are denied your democratic rights and freedoms the only way for me to communicate with you is through this open letter.
I wanted to publish it to let you know that you are not alone - that people are standing with you not just here in Britain, but everywhere that democracy and freedom are upheld.
We are heartened by your tremendous courage, your inspirational leadership, and by the knowledge that no oppression is so great that the forces of liberty cannot prevail The history books are full of stories of injustice. But they are also full of stories of hope, resistance and the victories that satisfy the deep human yearning to be free. I am confident that your story will stand prominently among those that show that from the deepest wells of despair can come the greatest triumphs of human endeavour.
Inspired by and in solidarity with you, the British Government will continue to work with our international partners to support Burma’s path to stability, peace and economic recovery. The UN Security Council has set out the steps necessary for a return to democracy in Burma. I have worked with our partners in the EU to maintain sanctions that are tough and targeted against those individuals who wish to deny the Burmese people their rights. And I will continue to press your neighbours in Asia to work even harder for your release and that of all political prisoners in Burma.
Continued here.
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