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Micheál’s statement on the release from house arrest of San Suu Kyi
Last updated on 13 Nov, 2010
Summary:
In welcoming the reports of the release from house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, I join with the very many people in Burma and around the world, including here in Ireland, who have campaigned for her release from unfair and unwarranted detention.
The Irish people have a particular affection for Aung San Suu Kyi and her campaign has received strong support across Ireland. Eleven years ago, she was awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin. In July 2009, she was declared the Amnesty International ‘Ambassador of Conscience’ at a U2 concert in Croke Park.
Largely in detention since leading her party to victory in the 1990 elections, Aung San Suu Kyi has come to symbolise the desire of the people of Burma for democracy and freedom. Her courage, her quiet dignity and her tireless devotion to her cause have earned her worldwide admiration. The way in which she has responded to the repeated infringements of her human and political rights has been exemplary. She has been unflinching in her commitment to non-violence and to the use of exclusively peaceful means to bring about political change.
Unfortunately, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi does not, of itself, signify a move towards real reform in Burma. There are concerns that she may remain under close watch and restrictions; that would be entirely unacceptable. More than 2,000 other prisoners of conscience remain in Burmese jails. These too must be freed, both as an issue of fundamental human rights and as an essential component of political progress.
With the recent elections, the regime had an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to reform and to democracy. Regrettably, it did not take this opportunity; the elections fell very substantially below international standards.
Notwithstanding all of this, I believe that, if the regime is willing to change its policies, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi can be an important milestone for Burma and can provide hope for the future. I call on the Burmese authorities, even at this late stage, to take the path of reform and to begin the necessary transition to democracy, which must include the fair and equal treatment of the country’s ethnic minorities.
For my part, I will continue to lend active support to efforts at national, EU and international level to secure the fundamental rights of the Burmese people.