Former Head of States Urge Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

 

“I think by now I have made it fairly clear that I am not very happy with the word “hope.” I don’t believe in people just hoping. We work for what we want. I always say that one has no right to hope without endeavor, so we work to try and bring about the situation that is necessary for the country, and we are confident that we will get to the negotiation table at one time or another. This is the way all such situations pan out– even with the most truculent dictator.” – Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house arrest in 1990 since her party, the National League for Democracy, won a landslide election, is due for release upon consideration by the military junta on May 27.

The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, an independent and non profit Foundation, under the initiative of its founder, former Norwegian Prime Minister, Kjell Magne Bondevik has gathered 59 Former Heads of State and sent a letter urging the Burmese military government to release Syuu Kyi, who is also a Nobel Peace Prize winner on the 15th May.

Former head of states who have endorsed the initiative (not the entire list) includes Corazon C. Aquino, President of the Philippines (1986-1992); Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan (1988-1990); George H.W. Bush, President of the United States of America (1989-1993); Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America (1977-1981); Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister of Thailand (1992-1995, 1997-2001); Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission (1985-1995); Lionel Jospin, Prime Minister of France (1997-2002); Kim Dae-jung, President of South Korea (1998-2003); Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan (2001-2006); Mahathir Mohamed, Prime Minister of Malaysia (1981-2003); Sir John Major, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1990-1997); Megawati Sukarnoputri, President of Indonesia (2001-2004); Martin Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada (1984-1993); Fidel V. Ramos,President of the Philippines (1992-1998); Chandra Shekhar,Prime Minister of India (1990-1991); Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Prime Minister of India (1989-1990); Ung Huot; Prime Minister of Cambodia (1997-1998); Abdurrahman Wahid, President of Indonesia (1991-2001).

The new United United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has also called on Senior General Than Shwe to release Syuu Kyi on January 8 this year.

On the 10th May, 14 United Nations human rights mandate holders have not only urged the Burmese government to release Suu Kyi unconditionally but also free the country’s remaining political prisoners.