Socialist International condemns latest measures against Aung San Suu Kyi
15 May 2009
The Socialist International condemns the baseless legal measures brought against Aung San Suu Kyi by the military regime in Burma, demands that all charges against her be dropped and that she be immediately and unconditionally released, and calls for a unified and sustained international effort in support of her and all Burmese people struggling for democracy and respect for human rights in their country.
The International notes that the current order for the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi is due to expire on 27 May and believes that the military regime has exploited the uninvited visit of a troubled, possibly unstable American man to justify her continued imprisonment and ensure that she cannot participate in elections the regime has planned for next year to institutionalise military rule.
The International further notes that the current order for the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi already exceeds by one year the maximum of five years permitted under Burma’s laws, meaning that the regime has broken its own laws as well its international human rights obligations. It is beneath contempt that the regime would now remove Aung San Suu Kyi to prison for a trial that will be held behind closed doors and violate all norms of due process.
The International is encouraged that many in the international community have voiced their outrage against this latest targeting of Aung San Suu Kyi. However, given the intransigence and cynicism of the regime in Burma, it is clear that a stronger and more unified response is needed, and the Socialist International calls upon all nations to take the firmest stand possible on behalf of liberty for Aung San Suu Kyi and democracy for Burma.
The Socialist International has long supported the people of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, who is a Special Honorary President of the International, and the National League for Democracy, and at this most difficult moment reaffirms its full solidarity with their courageous struggle.
