Kerry Condemns Conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese political prisoner)

08/11/2009

Kerry Condemns Conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi

Demands Freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi, John Yettaw, and Other Political Prisoners

Washington, DC—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), released the following statement in response to today’s verdict by a Burmese court sentencing Aung San Suu Kyi to an additional 18 months of imprisonment:

“The Burmese dictatorship is making a serious mistake by sentencing Aung San Suu Kyi to additional imprisonment. She never should have been arrested, much less convicted on meritless charges. Aung San Suu Kyi, American John Yettaw, and the other political prisoners held by the junta must be freed immediately. The junta’s actions cast serious doubt on the potential for legitimate elections next year and only reinforce longstanding international concerns about the military junta’s treatment of its own people.

“The Burmese dictatorship should understand that only a good-faith effort to start a dialogue with the political opposition and improvement of its deplorable human rights record can lead to better relations with the United States and the rest of the world. The junta’s latest unjust and short-sighted actions only serves to move the government further down the path of continued internationalisolation.”