STATEMENT BY AIPMC CALLING FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND ON THE RECENT VISIT TO BURMA BY THE UNITED NATIONS ENVOY IBRAHIM GAMBARI

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) is greatly concerned that Burma's pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi will not be released from house-arrest come May 27, 2006 when her detention period is due to end.

The military government in Burma had, in November 2005, extended Suu Kyi's house-arrest period for a further six months and we fear that they would again act no differently. We strongly call on the junta, especially its leader Senior-General Than Shwe, to respect international practices of human rights and justice by unconditionally releasing Suu Kyi when her current house-arrest term expires.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Suu Kyi has been kept under detention for the past three years. The de-facto Burmese authorities have not charged her with a crime and have kept her a prisoner in her own home.

It is high time that the junta discontinues its harassment and intimidation of the Burmese people's chosen leader and takes concrete measures in allowing her the right to live freely. AIPMC finds it is extremely unacceptable that Suu Kyi has been detained for over 10 of the past 16 years of her life for committing no apparent crime.

Her peaceful struggle to bring democracy and democratic reforms to her land is no cause for the military regime to deny Suu Kyi her basic rights. AIPMC vehemently calls on the junta to accord freedom to Burma's symbol of peace.

AIPMC also urges the United Nations (UN) to demand that the Burmese Generals release Suu Kyi immediately. The United Nations Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari's recent visit to Burma, while well received, must be validated by concrete actions to address Burma's dire situation.

Gambari's upcoming briefing of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on his trip to Burma is timely and welcomed. We urge the UNSC to then act accordingly by initiating concrete steps to resolve the political deadlock, as well as the deteriorating social and economic conditions, in Burma.

On April 28 this year, the UNSC adopted resolution 1674 (2006), which was its strongest condemnation yet of the violence committed by Burma's military against civilians during armed conflict. We call on the Council to substantiate that move by adopting a resolution on Burma that would empower them to intervene in Burma's crises. It is time for real action. It is time for a new, democratic and peaceful Burma.

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