STATEMENT BY LOUISE ARBOUR, UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Geneva, 21 May 2007: As we approach the end of the current term of detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, I urge the Government of Myanmar to release her and all political prisoners in the country unconditionally. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for four years, and she has spent 11 of the last 17 years in detention. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is one of more than 1,000 known political prisoners held in prisons and labor camps throughout the country.

The release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners would demonstrate a willingness to abide by universally accepted human rights standards. It would also, I believe, facilitate national dialogue and free the Government and the people to focus on the need to unite the country and to allow the emergence of democratic structures to decide on the way forward.

My Office stands ready to assist the Government of Myanmar in any efforts towards democratization by addressing the complex human rights crisis faced by the country, including the situation of political prisoners.