Secretary’s Remarks: Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Today I join with billions of people around the world to welcome the long-overdue release of Burmese democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.[…]

Aung San Suu Kyi- Statement from Gordon Brown MP, Former Prime Minister

There will be joy round the world at the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the world’s most renowned and courageous prisoner of conscience. Her release proves that no injustice can last forever[…]

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt comments on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi

“I am extremely pleased that Aung San Suu Kyi is now finally free. She is an inspiration to all of us who believe in democracy and human rights. I urge the regime to release all political prisoners in Burma.”

U2 Response to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Release

‘There is a cautious joy amongst the campaigners for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release. Over the years we have feared for her life, and until Burma’s leadership better reflects its people, we should continue to be vigilant in our concern.[…]

‘The Lady’ retains potent political role

Tomorrow, Aung San Suu Kyi will have spent a total of 15 years and 20 days in detention. Under Burmese law, she should be released, and it is looking increasingly likely that she will be. Although the regime has a poor track record of keeping its word or upholding its own laws, the regime will want to divert attention away from last Sunday’s sham elections which perpetuate military rule, and give the international community a fig leaf.
The regime has played it well from their point of view – legally they should have released her when her period of house arrest expired last year, but then, conveniently, American Mormon John Yettaw came to the junta’s aid, swam across the lake, and landed Suu Kyi with three years’ hard labour. In an act designed to appear compassionate, Than Shwe reduced this to 18 months’ house arrest – conveniently timing her release for six days after the sham elections.[…]

Myanmar should free all prisoners of conscience following Aung San Suu Kyi’s release

Amnesty International today welcomes the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, but calls on the government of Myanmar to immediately release all of the prisoners of conscience in the country.[…]

UN Human Rights Chief Welcomes Release of Aung San Suu Kyi, Calls for Release of Other Political Prisoners

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay welcomed Saturday the release of Aung San Suu Kyi at the end of her sentence, and urged the Myanmar authorities to also release the remaining 2,200 political prisoners in Myanamar.

“This is a positive signal that the authorities in Myanmar are willing to move forward with the serious challenge of democratic transition, and the need for national reconciliation,” Pillay said […]

Pelosi Welcomes the Release of Aung San Suu Kyi from Detention in Burma

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to the news that Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest. Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and she is the leading advocate for democracy and human rights in Burma[…]

Burma Briefing No. 6: Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi has now spent more than 15 years in detention, most of it under house arrest. According to Burmese law, she must be released from her current period of detention on Saturday 13th November.

World leaders regularly express support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for human rights and democracy in Burma. However, when it comes to acting on requests from Aung San Suu Kyi for practical international support, they have been less forthcoming.

This briefing provides recommendations for action from the international community, whether or not Aung San Suu Kyi is released on 13th November […]

Aung San Suu Kyi Reaches 15 Years in Detention

As Aung San Suu Kyi today reaches a total of 15 years in detention, Burma Campaign UK called for urgent international pressure to force Burma’s dictatorship to unconditionally release her on 13th November. Aung San Suu Kyi’s current period of detention expires on November 13th, following her being placed under house arrest after a sham trial in August 2009. Although there was an international outcry at the time, no concrete action was taken to try to secure her release […]