Aung San Suu Kyi Detention Extended

Responding to newswire reports that Burma’s democracy leader has had her detention extended for a further year, Mark Farmaner, Campaigns Manager at the Burma Campaign UK said:

“This extension demonstrates the regime has no intention of relinquishing power and its so-called ‘road map’ to democracy is a sham. Unless the international community acts, Aung San Suu Kyi could spend the rest of her life under house arrest. It is time for the United Nations Security Council to pass a binding resolution requiring the restoration of democracy to Burma, and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.”

“Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention has been extended because Burma’s generals are afraid of her and the support she has in the country. They are hoping that by keeping her in virtual solitary confinement the world will forget about her. We must ensure that does not happen.”

Aung San Suu Kyu has now spent a total of more than ten years in detention (10 years and 34 days on 27th November 2005). Her current period of detention began on May 30th 2003, when a convoy she was travelling in was attacked by a regime run militia, the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA). USDA thugs beat around 100 National League for Democracy supporters to death in the attack.

In September 2005 former Czech President Vaclav Havel and Desmond Tutu released a report – A Threat to the Peace – commissioned from global law firm DLA Piper. The report found Burma does fit the criteria for UN Security Council (UNSC) intervention, and called on the Council to pas a binding resolution requiring the restoration of democracy. The governments of the USA and UK have been working to bring Burma to the UNSC. Campaigners hope that before Christmas the UNSC will hold its first debate on the crisis in Burma.

For more information contact Mark Farmaner on 020 7324 4710.

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