WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama on Tuesday called on the Burmese military government to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi unconditionally.
“It is time for the Burmese government to drop all charges against Aung San Suu Kyi and unconditionally release her and her fellow political prisoners,” Obama said, adding that by her actions, “Aung San Suu Kyi has represented profound patriotism, sacrifice and the vision of a democratic and prosperous Burma.”
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| US President Barack Obama exits Air Force one upon arrival at McCarran International Airport, on May 26, in Las Vegas. (Photo: AP) |
“Such an action would be an affirmative and significant step on Burma’s part to begin to restore its standing in the eyes of the United States and the world community and to move toward a better future for its people,” Obama said in a statement issued by the White House.
“I call on the Burmese government to release National League for Democracy secretary general and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from detention immediately and unconditionally,” he said.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued opinions this week affirming that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, dating back to 2003, is arbitrary, unjustified and in contravention of Burma’s own law. The UN Security Council reaffirmed on May 22 its concern about Suu Kyi in a statement and called for the release of all political prisoners, Obama noted.
Obama said Suu Kyi’s continued detention, isolation and show trial based on spurious charges cast serious doubt on the Burmese regime’s willingness to be a responsible member of the international community.
“This is an important opportunity for the government in Burma to demonstrate that it respects its own laws and its own people, is ready to work with the National League for Democracy and other ethnic and opposition groups, and is prepared to move toward reconciliation,” he said.
Meanwhile, The Elders—a group of eminent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela —on Tuesday repeated its call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi as her latest six-year period of house arrest is due to expire on May 27.
The chair of The Elders, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said: “Despite the latest efforts to exclude and silence our sister Aung San Suu Kyi, she remains a symbol of hope for her nation and the world.”
Former US President Jimmy Carter said Aung San Suu Kyi is a hero for those who believe in human rights and democracy. “Her ongoing detention is a further reflection on the integrity of the government,” he said.
The Elders are currently meeting in Morocco and have kept an empty chair for Aung San Suu Kyi, as they always do. Their discussions covered a range of global issues, including events in Burma. They also urged Asean countries in particular to make it clear to Myanmar’s leaders that their current actions are jeopardizing the legitimacy of elections due in 2010 and the results will not be recognized unless minimum conditions are met.
The conditions are release of all political prisoners, an inclusive national process to review the 2008 constitution and participation by the NLD and other parties in the 2010 election. International observers must also be allowed to supervise the 2010 poll, they said.
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