22-28 February: Rejection of Daw Suu Appeal Bodes Ill for “Democratic” Elections

Dear Friends and Supporters,

On 26 February, Burma’s Supreme Court rejected Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal to end her house arrest, giving no reason for the decision. However, Daw Suu’s lawyers are not giving up. Nyan Win said they are preparing for a special appeal, asking the chief justice of Burma to convene a panel of judges to look at the case. If that fails, he said they could ask for another appeal in the court in Naypyidaw.

“The decision shows that the election will be nowhere near all-inclusive, free and fair. With the party leader detained, the party remains in a difficult position on the election,” said National League for Democracy spokesman Khin Maung Swe.

The UN, UK, France and Canada criticized the decision and echoed the NLD position that it would hinder truly democratic elections this year. The US State Department condemned the rejection as being politically motivated, and Representative Joe Crowley said the time had come for the US to implement tighter sanctions on the regime. Setting an example for the rest of ASEAN, Singapore also condemned the decision and said that dialogue between the regime, Daw Suu, and other political parties offers “the best prospects for national reconciliation and the long-term political stability.”

Taken alongside the imprisonment of Nyi Nyi Aung and last week’s sentencing of the four women who led prayers for the release of Daw Suu, this rejection is the latest case of the junta restricting democracy forces in the lead up to the elections. If the military regime were committed to genuinely democratic elections as it claims to be, it would cease the arrest and imprisonment of civilians for peaceful activities, release Daw Suu and all of Burma’s 2,195 political prisoners, stop hostilities against ethnic civilians, and engage in dialogue with democratic and ethnic opposition groups including a review of the 2008 Constitution.

In Solidarity,

Burma Partnership Secretariat

Latest from the Blog

Nationality Verification deadline extended
By Burma Partnership

News Highlights

Seventy-one foreign prisoners are on hunger strike to protest insufficient food in Buthidaung prison, Arakan State

Inside Burma

The NLD’s Central Executive Committee approves 100 new members

US Chargé d’Affaires meets with five members of the NLD’s Central Executive Committee

Six political prisoners are on hunger strike in Insein prison to protest against poor conditions and lack of medical treatment

SPDC Army seizes 300 acres of farmlands in Arakan State

Regional

SPDC Home Minister Maung Oo urges migrants in Thailand to register under the Nationality Verification process

Three persons from Burma were killed and five wounded by Thailand’s security forces as they tried to enter the country illegally in Ranong Province

The Kachin Independence Organization says it will make a decision about joining the SPDC’s Border Guard Force at its central committee meeting in early March

As many as 1,000 detained migrants from Burma are on hunger strike in a Malaysia camp, demanding access to the UN refugee agency

International

UK Prime Minister and Foreign Office Minister condemn the failure of Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal

France calls for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (French)

Canada condemns decision on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi appeal

Singapore disappointed on court ruling

Opinion

No arbitrary expulsion of Burmese labourers
The Nation

Justice for the Burmese
By Brad Adams
International Herald Tribune

Actions

Groups in Hong Kong protest at the Royal Thai Consulate to denounce the impending crackdown on migrant workers who have not completed the Nationality Verification process by 31 March

Statements and  Press Releases

Myanmar: End repression of ethnic minority activists – Written statement to the thirteenth session of the UN Human Rights Council
By Amnesty International

Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal Rejection Shows No Change In Burma
By Burma Campaign UK

150,000 Back Aung San Suu Kyi on Facebook
By Burma Campaign UK

Burma Update: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal was rejected
By Political Defiance Committee and National Coalition of the Union of Burma

Nobel Laureates to Host International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma
By Women’s League of Burma and the Nobel Women’s Initiative

Reports

Shwe Gas Bulletin: December 2009 – January 2010
By Arakan Oil Watch

Nationality Verification Fact Sheet
By Human Rights and Development Foundation

Burmese Migrant Workers’ Voices
By Human Rights and Development Foundation

From the Tiger to the Crocodile: Abuse of Migrant Workers in Thailand
By Human Rights Watch

Abuse between borders: vulnerability for Burmese workers deported from Thailand
By Karen Human Rights Group

Walking Amongst Sharp Knives
By Karen Womens’ Organisation

Weekly Political Events Regarding the SPDC’s Election (005/2010)
By Network for Democracy and Development

This post is in: Weekly Highlights