Support Suu Kyi in quest to be freed
I REFER to last Saturday's report, 'Arrest is a setback, says Singapore', and would like to say we are heartened that the Singapore Government has made its position known to the Myanmar government concerning the new charges it has levelled against Ms Aung San Suu Kyi and its concern over her poor health.
Ms Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for almost two decades since winning democratically held elections in 1990. The 63-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate has paid a huge price for her beliefs and has been held in near isolation from her family and friends.
She is scheduled to go on trial today for breaching the terms of her house arrest after an American man swam across the lake and entered her house. This offence carries a maximum jail term of five years, as has been reported in the media. Ms Suu Kyi and her two assistants are currently detained in the infamous Insein Prison.
We call for the immediate withdrawal of this charge against Ms Suu Kyi and her two assistants and that the schedule for her freedom from house arrest at the end of this month is adhered to.
We also ask Singapore and all Asean member countries to support Ms Suu Kyi in this quest to be freed. It will be a grave injustice if we let this courageous citizen live all her days under house arrest or in prison, based on these new charges.
It is also important for the Asean community that the Myanmar government stands by its ratification of the Asean Charter, an instrument that seeks to strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and rule of law in all Asean member countries.
Braema Mathi (Ms)
Chairman, Maruah
Singapore Working Group for Asean Human Rights Mechanism
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