Aung San Suu Kyi's Hopes of Freedom Dashed

Aung San Suu Kyi's Hopes of Freedom Dashed

Press Release: Terry Evans

6 May 2009

Burma's unelected generals have once again rejected an appeal for the release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The appeal was made by the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. However, their appeal was rejected on 1 May.

The generals fear Aung San Suu Kyi, whose NLD party won a convincing 82 percent of the seats in the 1990 general election, which followed 28 years of military oppression. However, the Burmese junta refused to recognise the results, over-ruling the popular mandate of the Burmese people, and prevented Aung San Suu Kyi from forming a civilian government.

The generals are now determined to avoid a repeat of the Aung San Suu Kyi's 1990 election victory. They have pushed through a new constitution with conditions that favour the military, and continue to detain Aung San Suu Kyi to prevent her from participating in the 2010 election.

ENDS

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