NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI
May 6, 2002 (9:15 a.m. EDT) No. 47
CANADA WELCOMES RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham today welcomed the release from house arrest of Burma's National League for
Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Nobel Laureate had been detained by Burma's ruling military regime,
the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), since September 2000.
"Canada welcomes the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, which is long overdue," said Mr. Graham. "We remain concerned,
however, over ongoing human rights violations in Burma and urge the State Peace and Development Council to release all
political prisoners and to pursue substantive dialogue on national reconciliation with the NLD and representatives of ethnic
minorities."
Burma's national elections, which took place on May 27, 1990, resulted in a landslide victory for Aung San Suu Kyi and
the NLD party. The SPDC refused to honour the election results however, and since that time has systematically
intimidated and arrested members of the NLD including Aung San Suu Kyi, who was placed under de facto house arrest in
September 2000. She was also detained by the military regime from 1990 to 1995.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
| 
