For Immediate Release:
Thursday 14th May 2009
Outrageous and Unjust Charge to be Brought Against Aung San Suu Kyi by Burmese Generals
Burma Action Ireland calls for urgent international action and intervention to secure the release of Nobel Peace Laureate and Freeman of Dublin and Galway Aung San Suu Kyi who has been transferred to the notorious Insein Prison where she is being detained for an alleged breach of the terms of her house arrest.
Aung San Suu Kyi received an uninvited and unwelcome visit from an American intruder, John Yettaw, who swam across Inya Lake to her house on University Avenue last week. The intruder was uninvited and refused to leave. He was apprehended by the Burmese military as he swam back across the lake the following day.
For Immediate Release:
Thursday 14th May 2009
Outrageous and Unjust Charge to be Brought Against Aung San Suu Kyi by Burmese Generals
Burma Action Ireland calls for urgent international action and intervention to secure the release of Nobel Peace Laureate and Freeman of Dublin and Galway Aung San Suu Kyi who has been transferred to the notorious Insein Prison where she is being detained for an alleged breach of the terms of her house arrest.
Aung San Suu Kyi received an uninvited and unwelcome visit from an American intruder, John Yettaw, who swam across Inya Lake to her house on University Avenue last week. The intruder was uninvited and refused to leave. He was apprehended by the Burmese military as he swam back across the lake the following day.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial has been set for May 18th and if convicted, she could spend the rest of her life behind bars, where prison conditions and lack of access to medical services could prove lethal to her already ailing health condition. Reports suggest that she could face between 5 years and life imprisonment if convicted.
A spokesperson for the National League for Democracy has condemned her arrest stating that she was the victim of an intruder and that her current term of house arrest had ceased but that she was still being detained unlawfully. They further stated that the military government will stop at nothing to ensure that Aung San Suu Kyi remains incarcerated prior to their sham elections scheduled for 2010. However, the Burmese generals insist that the release date for her current term of house arrest is May 27th.
Burma Action Ireland calls on the Irish government, the EU, the UN, ASEAN and all concerned nations and organisations to demand that UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon send a personal envoy to Burma immediately to attempt to end this tragic farce and to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma.
Gearoid Kilgallen, Chairperson of Burma Action Ireland said today that, “this totally unwarranted action against Aung San Suu Kyi is yet another example of the cruelty and inhumanity of the military thugs who have been ruling Burma for the last 47 years. It is clear that they will do anything to hold onto power as they go on enriching themselves at the expense of their poverty stricken people. This evil regime once again shows its utter contempt for civilised norms and human rights’ laws as they continue to defy the world community of nations”.
Burma Action Ireland will be holding a protest on Saturday 16th May outside the GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin from 11am onwards, where they will be collecting signatures for a petition to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon calling for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma.
For further information, please contact:
Niamh Rooney, Burma Action Ireland: +353 (0) 87 126 1857
Gearoid Kilgallen, Chairperson, Burma Action Ireland: +353 (0)1 280 0866
E-mail: info@burmaactionireland.org
