UN human rights chief welcomes release of Aung San Suu Kyi, calls for release of other political prisoners

GENEVA (13 November 2010) -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay welcomed Saturday the release of Aung San Suu Kyi at the end of her sentence, and urged the Myanmar authorities to also release the remaining 2,200 political prisoners in Myanamar.

"This is a positive signal that the authorities in Myanmar are willing to move forward with the serious challenge of democratic transition, and the need for national reconciliation," Pillay said. "Clearly, Aung San Suu Kyi can make a major contribution to this processes."

"It is important that her release is unconditional, and that this is honoured in practice. Her long detention and deprivation of rights remain a serious violation of human rights on the part of the government of Myanmar," Pillay added.

"I urge the authorities of Myanmar to now release the other 2,200 political prisoners as a clear sign that the new Government intends to respect human rights and forge a new future for the country," she said.

Pillay said she remained "extremely disappointed that Aung San Suu Kyi was not released before the elections, as had been urged by the Secretary General and many others, including the member States of ASEAN."
ENDS

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