FORUM-ASIA has condemned the extension of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest by a year and has called on Burma’s State Peace and Development Council to release her and all other political prisoners. The organisation has also called ASEAN to actively engage in these issues and push the SPDC to start taking steps towards conforming with international human rights principles. 

FORUM-ASIA condemns the extension of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest and demands her immediate release and of all political prisoners in Burma

(Bangkok, 29 May, 2008) FORUM-ASIA condemns the extension of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest by Burma’s military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). It also calls on the SPDC to take immediate steps to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political detainees in Burma.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s foremost democracy leader and head of the National Democratic League (NDL), has been under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years. On Tuesday, 27 May, 2008, officials of the ruling junta in Burma confirmed the extension of her house arrest for another year.

FORUM-ASIA believes that the extension of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest is unwarranted and that there are no grounds for this under the law. It also clearly violates international human rights principles. According to Mr. Yap Swee Seng, Acting Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA, “We are deeply concerned about the implications of this decision to extend Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention for another year. The extended term of her detention reaffirms our belief that the SPDC intends to continue its firm and tyrannical grip on the people of Burma, and that there is no intention on their part to respect human rights in the country”.

FORUM-ASIA is also concerned that the ASEAN has not made a proactive stance on the issue of Aung San Suu Kyi’s extended house arrest term. As a regional body poised to establish a “human rights body” aimed at promoting and protecting human rights in Southeast Asia, the ASEAN should show more engagement in these issues and actively urge the SPDC to start taking steps towards conforming with international human rights principles.
 
Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), everyone has the right to liberty and security of person and that “no one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds in accordance with such procedure as are established by law”.

FORUM-ASIA urges the SPDC to make a genuine commitment to moving towards democracy and respecting human rights. It urges the SPDC to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma.