Outcome of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's trial "shameful"

Myanmar: Outcome of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's trial "shameful"

Today's guilty verdict against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by a court in Myanmar has been described by Amnesty International's Secretary General Irene Khan as "shameful".

"Her arrest and trial and now this guilty verdict are nothing more than legal and political theatre," said Irene Khan.

"Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for over 13 of the past 20 years but should never have been arrested in the first place. The only issue here is her immediate and unconditional release. Both the UN and ASEAN need to continue to press for this," said Irene Khan.

Amnesty International believes that the fact Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not given a jail sentence but returned to house arrest does not represent progress, as she never should have been arrested.

Amnesty International also noted that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a prisoner of conscience, is one of more than 2,100 political prisoners in Myanmar.

Background: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's trial ends in the midst of ongoing human rights violations by the military against ethnic minority civilians. In early June the Myanmar army staged attacks and took Karen civilians for forced labour in Kayin State. This resulted in over 3,500 refugees fleeing to Thailand.

Amnesty International's Burma/Myanmar Researcher, Benjamin Zawacki is available for media interviews.

For further information of comment, please contact Pui-yi Cheng on 09 303 4526 or 021 0267 4857

ENDS

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