“ARTICLE 19 is dismayed and deeply saddened to learn that the appeal for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi has been rejected yet again by her captors. The governments that continue to support the Burmese authorities, particularly China, India, and the ASEAN members, through their indifference and ineffectiveness, each bears responsibility for the bricks and mortar of Aung San Suu Kyi’s prison” said Dr. Agnes Callamard, ARTICLE 19 Executive Director.
Nobel Peace Prize winning Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent 13 of the past 19 years in detention, submitted in October 2008 an appeal to be released, via her lawyer Kyi Win.
According to Kyi Win’s assistant, Hla Myo Myint, the military regime summoned the lawyer to a meeting and told Hla that the appeal would be rejected.
The Burmese military regime imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi under legislation that will run out on 27 May 2009. But with non-free elections due to be held in early 2010, the regime is trying to block Aung San Suu Kyi, the landslide winner of the last elections, from taking part.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party, the National League for Democracy, has also announced that they will not take part in the 2010 elections if Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners are not freed.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
• For more information: please contact Oliver Spencer, oliver@article19.org +44 20 7278 9292
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