12 August 2009 Media Statement
Labour deplores Aung San Suu Kyi's continued detention

The conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi by the Burmese military on spurious charges further isolates that regime from the rest of the world, Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson Chris Carter says.

“The Burmese regime has detained Aung San Suu Kyi for 13 of the last 19 years and her conviction last night is a deliberate attempt to prevent her from participating in elections next year,” Chris Carter said.

“The military regime must release Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to participate in democratic elections.

“The Burmese people deserve the freedom to chose their own leaders and the actions of the country’s rulers are disturbing and show a lack of commitment to having real democracy.

“Labour supports the New Zealand Government and the international community who have condemned the actions of the Burmese military regime and called for Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate release.

“We can only hope that by continued international pressure the Burmese regime will move to restore democracy,” Chris Carter said.

ENDS

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