New Call for the Unconditional Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Amnesty International is again calling for the UN Security Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to intervene to secure Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from Burma’s Insein prison, following resumption of her trial last Friday 10th of July in Rangoon.
Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of the Burmese opposition party and has been detained for 13 of the past 19 years, mostly under house arrest.
In March 2009, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi violated both international law and Burma’s domestic legislation.
Almost 10,000 Amnesty International supporters in Australia have taken action so far, calling on ASEAN to intervene on behalf of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Amnesty International is also highlighting the plight of more than 2100 other political prisoners currently held in Burma’s jails.
“Conditions in Burma’s jails, including the notorious Insein prison where Aung San Suu Kyi has been held for weeks, are appalling. The health of prisoners is put at risk by the circumstances in which they are forced to live and political prisoners are also at risk of torture and other ill-treatment,” said Jenny Leong, spokesperson for Amnesty International Australia.

Just a few days before Aung San Suu Kyi’s 64th birthday in June, more than 100 former political prisoners from around the world added their names to a statement calling for her release and for the United Nations Security Council to establish a global arms embargo on Burma.

For further information, please contact Amnesty International’s Media and Public Affairs office Sydney: Jessica Baird/Media and Public Affairs Coordinator/02 8396 7622/0413 028 191