Menu
26/09/2003
Burmese activist's house arrest slammed by Foreign Office
The continued detention of Aung San Su Kyi by Burmese authorities represents a "flagrant" disregard for democracy and human rights, Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien said today.
Mr O'Brien was speaking in the wake of reports which suggest that the Burmese human rights activist is being held under house arrest.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was detained by the Burmese military authorities on 30 May following a "regime-sponsored attack" on her and her National League for Democracy supporters in northern Burma. According to the regime she has been held under "protective custody".
Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held under house arrest for eight of the last 15 years, was last released from house arrest in May 2002.
"I have heard the news today that Daw Aung San Su Kyi has been allowed back home. While this is a step in the right direction, sadly this development marks no more than a return to the situation in 1989, when the Nobel Peace Prize Winner was first placed under house arrest," he said.
"Nearly a decade and a half later Aung San Suu Kyi is again a prisoner in her own home and the military regime flagrantly continues to disregard the Burmese people's demands for democracy and human rights.
"Recently the regime in Burma outlined steps to turn Burma into a 'modern developed and democratic nation'. That is an objective we share. But simply moving Aung San Suu Kyi back home is not going to get us there."
Mr O'Brien called upon on the Burmese government to "engage" with the National League for Democracy (NLD) to find a way forward. However, for that to happen, those arrested with Aung San Suu Kyi in May must also be released and NLD offices re-opened, said Mr O'Brien.
(gmcg)
Mr O'Brien was speaking in the wake of reports which suggest that the Burmese human rights activist is being held under house arrest.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was detained by the Burmese military authorities on 30 May following a "regime-sponsored attack" on her and her National League for Democracy supporters in northern Burma. According to the regime she has been held under "protective custody".
Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held under house arrest for eight of the last 15 years, was last released from house arrest in May 2002.
"I have heard the news today that Daw Aung San Su Kyi has been allowed back home. While this is a step in the right direction, sadly this development marks no more than a return to the situation in 1989, when the Nobel Peace Prize Winner was first placed under house arrest," he said.
"Nearly a decade and a half later Aung San Suu Kyi is again a prisoner in her own home and the military regime flagrantly continues to disregard the Burmese people's demands for democracy and human rights.
"Recently the regime in Burma outlined steps to turn Burma into a 'modern developed and democratic nation'. That is an objective we share. But simply moving Aung San Suu Kyi back home is not going to get us there."
Mr O'Brien called upon on the Burmese government to "engage" with the National League for Democracy (NLD) to find a way forward. However, for that to happen, those arrested with Aung San Suu Kyi in May must also be released and NLD offices re-opened, said Mr O'Brien.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 January 2012
Hague To Meet Burma Leaders
Foreign Secretary William Hague is visiting Burma on Wednesday, meeting both President Thein Sein, and spokesperson for the democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Hague To Meet Burma Leaders
Foreign Secretary William Hague is visiting Burma on Wednesday, meeting both President Thein Sein, and spokesperson for the democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi.
01 February 2005
Prime Minister backs Burma holiday boycott
Tony Blair has lent his support to a campaign, which urges Britons not to travel to Burma because of human rights violations committed by the country's government. The campaign, launched by the Burma Campaign UK group, is urging people not to visit the country – also known as Myanmar – because of the oppressive military regime, which governs there.
Prime Minister backs Burma holiday boycott
Tony Blair has lent his support to a campaign, which urges Britons not to travel to Burma because of human rights violations committed by the country's government. The campaign, launched by the Burma Campaign UK group, is urging people not to visit the country – also known as Myanmar – because of the oppressive military regime, which governs there.
29 July 2003
Red Cross meets Burmese civil rights activist
Red Cross officials have been allowed access to Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, almost two months to the day since she was detained by the Burmese military regime. Ms Suu Kyi, who is being held under a law providing her detention without charge or access to lawyers for up to five years, was said to be in good health.
Red Cross meets Burmese civil rights activist
Red Cross officials have been allowed access to Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, almost two months to the day since she was detained by the Burmese military regime. Ms Suu Kyi, who is being held under a law providing her detention without charge or access to lawyers for up to five years, was said to be in good health.
03 July 2003
BAT asked to withdraw investment from Burma
The Foreign Office has upped the diplomatic pressure on Burma today by asking British American Tobacco (BAT) to withdraw their investment from the country. The move comes a week after the Prime Minister declared that trade or investment in Burma was appropriate "when the regime continues to suppress the basic human rights of its people".
BAT asked to withdraw investment from Burma
The Foreign Office has upped the diplomatic pressure on Burma today by asking British American Tobacco (BAT) to withdraw their investment from the country. The move comes a week after the Prime Minister declared that trade or investment in Burma was appropriate "when the regime continues to suppress the basic human rights of its people".
10 May 2013
Olympic Sailor Dies After Boat Capsizes
British Olympic sailor, Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, has died. In a statement on the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) website, Mr Simpson died after a Swedish catamaran capsized during a training session for this year's America's Cup. The 36-year-old, a double Olympic medallist, was one of an 11-man crew on board the Artemis Racing vessel.
Olympic Sailor Dies After Boat Capsizes
British Olympic sailor, Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, has died. In a statement on the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) website, Mr Simpson died after a Swedish catamaran capsized during a training session for this year's America's Cup. The 36-year-old, a double Olympic medallist, was one of an 11-man crew on board the Artemis Racing vessel.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
