NEWS RELEASES

October 21, 2005 (1:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 191

CANADA DENOUNCES 10 YEARS OF DETENTION OF BURMESE PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement denouncing the 10 years of detention of Burmese Nobel Laureate and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi:

“For most of the past decade and a half, Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained under house arrest by the Burmese authorities. When these periods of detention are viewed cumulatively, October 24, 2005, marks the completion of her 10th year of detention. She has been deprived of her liberty and other fundamental freedoms solely because of her commitment to democracy and human rights.

“Canada reiterates its call for Burma to immediately and unconditionally release Aung San Suu Kyi and the members of her party. The Burmese authorities should also abandon their ongoing efforts to entrench and legitimize military rule, and instead recognize the 1990 national election results and take steps to initiate genuine democratic reform. The people of Burma have languished far too long under authoritarian rule, and continue to suffer human rights abuses.

“Aung San Suu Kyi is a courageous person who, at great personal sacrifice, continues to devote all her energies to the struggle for a better life for the people of Burma. Her commitment has earned her respect and admiration in Canada and throughout the international community.

“In consultation with concerned Canadians and our international partners, Canada will continue to explore all appropriate means of support for democracy and human rights in Burma, with a view to achieving a peaceful transition to freedom for the people of Burma.”

Additional information on Canada’s policy on Burma may be found at the following Web site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/asia/country/Burma-en.asp/.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca