NEWS RELEASESJuly 30, 1998 No. 182 AXWORTHY CONDEMNS TREATMENT OF BURMESE PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today condemned the forced return of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to her Rangoon home following her attempt to travel outside the city to meet members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party. "I strongly condemn the Burmese military regime for what has become continuous harassment of Aung San Suu Kyi and pro-democracy leaders," said Minister Axworthy. "In addition to violating the basic human rights of freedom of movement and association, Aung San Suu Kyi's forced return was an unacceptable threat to her health and safety." Earlier this month, Minister Axworthy issued a statement expressing Canada's concern over travel restrictions imposed by the Burmese military authorities on Aung San Suu Kyi. He also met informally with the Burmese Foreign Minister at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting in Manila from July 27 to 29, where he and six other foreign ministers raised their concerns over human rights violations and democratic reform in Burma. Following the ARF meeting, Minister Axworthy suggested that Canada would be in contact with these like-minded countries and our ASEAN partners to explore means to maintain pressure on the Burmese authorities and end the repression against Aung San Suu Kyi. The Canadian Embassy Chargé d'Affaires in Bangkok travelled to Rangoon two weeks ago and met with Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmese authorities to convey Canada's concern over increasing repression and harassment of pro-democracy partisans. "Canada strongly denounces the continuous human rights violations by the Burmese regime and its refusal to abide by the results of the democratic election," said Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan. "We call on the Burmese authorities to engage in an open and meaningful dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy supporters to bring about national reconciliation and democratic reform to the people of Burma." Burma's national elections on May 27, 1990, resulted in a landslide victory for Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD party. Since then, the military regime has refused to honour the election results and has become increasingly restrictive of Aung San Suu Kyi's movements outside of Rangoon. - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Debora Brown Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (613) 995-1851 Hilary Humphrey Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) (613) 995-1852 Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (613) 995-1874 This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca |