The Burma Partnership, a FORUM-ASIA partner, has called on the Burmese government to immediately release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, saying the junta will be violating its own laws in keeping her under house arrest for longer than the five years permitted by the Burma State Protection Law.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must be free today!
(25 May, 2008) Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must be released today. Should the military authorities continue to confine her, they will be violating their own law.
According to the law under which she is being held (Article 10b of the Burma State Protection Law), the authorities are permitted to detain a person deemed to be “a threat to the sovereignty and security of the State and peace of the people”. This law dictates that the sentence may be renewed annually for up to five years only. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest in May 2003. The last legally permissible extension order was passed on the 25 May, 2007, and expired yesterday.
Burma has suffered a massive natural disaster unprecedented in her modern history. The tragedy of Cyclone Nargis has been compounded by the regime's blocking urgently needed international aid and expertise. While we welcome the new agreement to allow international workers access to Burma, we urge the regime to realise that this critical time requires unity in cooperation. All stakeholders must work together with international aid agencies to ensure that help reaches those in desperate need. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has a unique and important role to play, not only in the current relief efforts but also in the reconciliation processes so crucial to the future of Burma.
Today, an international aid-pledging conference in Rangoon will determine how to proceed with relief and reconstruction efforts. The Burmese authorities have the opportunity to improve their domestic and international credibility by freeing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be a powerful demonstration of commitment by the regime that it is willing to work with all stakeholders for the sake of Burma.
Contact: Khin Ohmar +66 81 884 0772
