Suu Kyi Trial

What They’re Saying about Suu Kyi’s Detention

The Burmese regime’s decision to incarcerate democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon’s notorious Insein Prison as she faces charges of allowing an American intruder to stay overnight at her lakeside home has provoked a strong outcry. Below is a sampling of some of the statements coming from foreign governments and others in reaction to the junta’s latest attempt to sideline the democracy icon.

Today’s unjust decision reminds us of the thousands of other political prisoners in Burma who, like Aung San Suu Kyi, have been denied their liberty because of their pursuit of a government that respects the will, rights, and aspirations of all Burmese citizens.
—US President Obama

No comes our greatest test. In the face of this arrogance, we cannot stand by and effectively sanction the abhorrent actions of violent and repressive junta (in Burma)
—British PM Gordan Brown

This bunch of crooks that call themselves a government continue to rob the people of Burma of their rightful leader - this mock trial and its sham verdict is a signal not of junta strength but of fear and cowardice, fear of a 64-year-old woman whom they dare not even let walk down the street.
—U2, Irish rock band

I deplore the ongoing persecution of a democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, for almost a quarter of a century.
— Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

This is just the latest evidence that this regime is not serious about pursuing legitimate democratic elections in Burma.
— Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper

The façade of her prosecution is made more monstrous because its real objective is to sever her bond with the people for whom she is a beacon of hope and resistance.
—British PM Gordon Brown

As a fellow Buddhist, I would like to once again appeal to the Burmese authorities to show magnanimity and understanding by releasing her. Doing so will not only contribute towards reconciliation but also will be a goodwill gesture.
— His Holiness the Dalai Lama

This is a moral universe. Right and wrong matter. This decision is wrong.
— The Elders’ chair, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

The time for pacification and soft diplomatic approaches is over. All countries, particularly neighboring countries with any self-respect, must side with justice and stop posturing in a way that encourages the generals to commit such crimes.
—Burmese exile PM Sein Win

“This show trial is the regime's latest political play to ensure she [Aung San Suu Kyi] is out of the way for the 2010 elections.”
— Burmese activist Khin Ohmar, a secretary of the Forum for Democracy in Burma

“The changes in Myanmar are very much needed. It not only is a necessity for the security of Myanmar but also for all the neighboring countries including Bangladesh and Thailand.”
— Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya

“We have a very good case because she has not breached any conditions and restrictions imposed upon her.”
— Kyi Win

“It is no doubt that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has committed a cover-up of the truth by her failure to report an illegal immigrant to the authorities concerned,”
— Major General Aye Myint

“We are facing a crisis of constitution, not a constitutional crisis.”
— Aung San Suu Kyi, speaking of the validity of the charges against her at her trial.

“While the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council have passed over 35 resolutions regarding Myanmar, the UN Security Council has yet to pass a single one.”
— Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Former UN human rights reporteur in Burma

“This [Suu Kyi’s trial] is an internal legal issue and not a human rights issue.”
— Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win

“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.”
— US president Barack Obama

“Asean has done this [statement] out of love, good intentions and hope to see national reconciliation in Burma and for it to move forward. We are not interfering in domestic affairs, but showing our concern.”
— Kasit Piromya, Thailand's foreign minister

“If we were to lose her [Aung San Suu Kyi], it would be on our conscience.”
— Rama Yade, France’s human rights minister

“Korea also struggled under a military dictatorship for a long period of time before achieving democracy. I am sure that history will make note of your dedication to righteousness and freedom [in Burma].”
— Kim Dae-jung, former president of South Korea

“In my vision, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be assassinated, so I came here.”
— John W. Yettaw, the American man who swam to visit Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi

“All the paraphernalia of the courtroom was there, the judges, the prosecution, the defense. But I think this is a story where the conclusion is already scripted.”
— Mark Canning, British Ambassador to Burma

“Thank you very much for coming and for your support. I can't meet you one by one, but I hope to meet you all in better days.”
— Aung San Suu Kyi

“Myanmar's issue should be decided by the Myanmar people. We hope that the relevant parties in Myanmar could realize reconciliation, stability and development through dialogue.”
— China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu

“To imprison her [Aung San Suu Kyi], and all of the regime's opponents, is to smother any hope for democracy in Burma.”
— France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

“I want you [Aung San Suu Kyi] to know: you are not alone.”
— British Prime Minister Gordon Brown

“I deplore Ms. Suu Kyi’s ongoing persecution, and call for her immediate and unconditional release...her continued detention, and now this latest trial, breach international standards of due process and fair trial.”
— Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

“We urge the government of Myanmar [Burma] to resolve the matter speedily and to release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately and unconditionally.”
— Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo

“Clearly her health condition is of concern, and that should be a concern for everybody”
—Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva

“The increased restrictions on Internet usage following Aung San Suu Kyi’s reimprisonment suggest that the military government is once again trying to isolate Burma, as it does whenever there is political tension... We firmly condemn this behavior and appeal to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to put more pressure on the government to allow the free flow of information.”
—Reporters Without Borders

"It is perhaps the best thing that Asean can do or the regional grouping will miss a vital opportunity, and stay a mere talkshop forever,"
—Sunai Phasuk, Thai representative of Human Rights Watch

"Asean has long been wary of criticizing Burma and rather been embarrassed when calling for Burmese political reform. Thailand as the first chairman under the newly enacted Asean charter has already missed the opportunity to do more. We have been distracted by our own political wrangling at home. Thailand seems toothless on diplomacy during our round of the chairmanship"
—Surachart Bamrungsuk, Chulalongkorn University associate professor of political science

"The charges against her are not appropriate. Why should Aung San Suu Kyi be detained when it was the American national who swam across the waters to her house?"
—Teuku Faizasyah, spokesman of Indonesia foreign ministry

"We are closely watching the development with serious concern. We have conveyed this message to the Myanmar government."
—Japan's Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone

"After hearing the news that Nobel Peace Prize winner and European Parliament Sakharov Prize Aun San Suu Kyi has been accused of breaching the conditions of her detention under house arrest and taken to prison, I strongly call on the Burmese authorities to immediately release her without further delay or conditions."
—Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament

"After years and countless calls on the junta to adhere to international rules and standards, the international community somehow got used to the fact that even elementary dialogue with the junta is impossible and that hundreds of thousands refugees from Burma are a fact of life and that nothing can be done about it. The latest developments should serve as a wake up call."
—Vaclav Havel, first President of the Czech Republic

"Singapore is dismayed by this latest development. This is a setback for the national reconciliation process."
—Singapore foreign ministry

"He’s a very peace-loving person, well-meaning, forgiving, mild-mannered. He meant the very best for her."
—Betty Yettaw, wife of John William Yettaw

"Release our sister now! Absurd ‘trial’ is an excuse to extend her incarceration."
—Desmond Tutu, the chairman of The Elders

"We stand by Aung San Suu Kyi and call on world leaders to demand her immediate release."
—Jimmy Carter, Former President of the United States

"Aung San Suu Kyi has been illegally imprisoned for 13 years – this trial is also illegal."
— Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland

"We will also raise this with other nations like China and see if we can’t, on a humanitarian basis, seek relief for Aung San Suu Kyi from this latest effort to intimidate and perhaps even incarcerate her."
— Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State

"I am deeply disturbed that Aung San Suu Kyi may be charged with breaching the terms of her detention. The Burmese regime is clearly intent on finding any pretext, no matter how tenuous, to extend her unlawful detention."
—British prime minister Gordon Brown

"[Suu Kyi's] imprisonment in Insein Prison is yet another attempt to suppress democracy in Burma and shut off this courageous leader from her people."
— David Cameron, leader of the British Conservative Party

"Canada is seriously concerned with the new charges laid against Aung San Suu Kyi, and calls upon the Burmese regime to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the people of Burma."
— Lawrence Cannon, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs

"It is Australia's longstanding position—shared by governments of both political persuasions—that she [Suu Kyi] should be released immediately and unconditionally and I repeat that today."
—Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith

"We will use the good office of the Asean Secretariat to immediately engage in and to finding solutions to this matter, and if it is possible, this—the Asean+3, which includes China—we would also be, if it’s necessary to engage in, to seek their views and assistance in trying to solve the problem."
— Datuk Anifah bin Haji Aman, Malaysian foreign minister

"Everyone is very angry with this wretched American. He is the cause of all these problems. He's a fool."
— Kyi Win, Suu Kyi's lawyer

"Aung San Suu Kyi has committed no crime, she is the victim of crime. There was an intruder in her house who refused to leave, but she is the one being imprisoned."
— Zoya Phan, the international coordinator at Burma Campaign UK

"We unequivocally condemn this attempt by the junta to cloak its continued detention of Suu Kyi in a veil of legitimacy."
— Jared Genser, Suu Kyi's US-based legal counsel
Alinsek (26.Feburary, 2010)