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Clinton criticises Suu Kyi’s new charges

Article published on the 2009-05-15 Latest update 2009-05-15 14:38 TU

Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters demonstrate in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, 15 May 2009.(Photo: Reuters)

Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters demonstrate in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, 15 May 2009.
(Photo: Reuters)

US Secretary General Hillary Clinton joined a growing wave of international criticism of Myanmar's military government Friday when she denounced the jailing of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for aqn alleged breach of the terms of her house arrest.

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Clinton said that she was “deeply troubled” by the “baseless” case against Suu Kyi, while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was “gravely concerned”.

Indonesia and Singapore, two regional powers, both called for Suu Kyi's release, breaking from a traditional reluctance to criticise members within the Asean block of south-east Asian countries.

Amnesty International said that this was not enough and called on “China and Japan, and Asean countries, [to] urgently intervene to secure Daw San Suu Kyi’s release from Insein prison,” where she has been detained since 6 May.

“China, India, Singapore, Thailand and other south-east Asian countries should be calling for a genuine and participatory political process in Burma [Myanmar],” Human Rights Watch said in a statement. “Aung San Suu Kyi’s latest arrest shows how their silence simply encourages more contempt for basic freedoms.”

Suu Kyi was arrested after an American man swam across a lake and spent the night in her house uninvited. This act, the government claims, is a violation of the 63-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner’s house arrest. She faces five years in prison if found guilty.

“These charges are not appropriate. Why should Aung San Suu Kyi be detained when it was the American national who swam across the waters to her house?” Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah said in Jakarta before calling for her release.

Singapore’s Foreign Ministry echoed this call, saying it was “dismayed” by the charges brought against Suu Kyi.

Thailand stopped short of calling for her release, though Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said that his country was “very, very concerned” about her fate. Japan also voiced “deep concern”.