NCGUB Statement on Daw Aung San Suu Case 14-05-2009

May 14, 2009

Junta's Ploy To Keep Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under Arrest Widely Condemned

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) is appalled by the machinations of the Burmese military regime aimed at extending the detention of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on the basis of trumped up charges.

The Burmese junta is using an uninvited visit to her residence by an American citizen -- John William Yettaw -- who swam across Inya Lake near Aung San Suu Kyi's home, as a basis of the democracy leader's further detention.

She was last heard of being escorted by police to a Special Court inside Insein Prison "to face charges" over the intrusion by the American. Her personal physician Dr Tin Myo Win and her two female companions at home are also expected to appear in court in connection with the case.

Aung San Suu Kyi's current period of house arrest is due to end later this month.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence was already a fortress, heavily guarded by armed personnel at the time of the intrusion and if anyone is to be charged it should be the junta for failing to provide security to the Nobel Laureate under its charge.

The junta has not made any public statement about the case but blogs set up by the junta's Ministry of Information has been claiming that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can face up to three years imprisonment under Article 22 of the 1975 State Protection Law for breaching the restriction order.

This is clearly the military's reaction to a decision by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which found earlier this year that her current detention violates international and Burmese law.

Prime Minister Dr Sein Win said, "It is nothing more than a political ploy to hoodwink the international community so that they can keep Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under lock and key while the military maneuvers its way to election victory in 2010. This is an outrage and should not be acceptable anywhere."

“It is time to stop the generals,” he continued.

“The international community must act immediately if the generals decide to continue persecuting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Lest we forget, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is Burma's democracy icon and only hope for long-lasting peace in the country.”

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