CALD Statement No. 4 S. 2010

Joint Statement of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) on the Release from House Arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) welcome the long-overdue release from house arrest of Nobel Peace Laureate, CALD Honorary Individual Member, and Burma’s democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

We call upon Burma’s government to ensure that her release be unconditional and permanent, her basic political civil rights respected, and her safety guaranteed. We also urge the regime to immediately and unconditionally release Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Khun Htun Oo and more than two thousand other political prisoners in Burma.

While we rejoice with the rest of the world about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, we deeply lament that the recently held election was a sham and a mockery of democratic processes. We are concerned that a possible escalation of armed conflicts between the regime and ethnic groups may ensue because the election was largely seen as unfair and not free.

We reiterate the need for inclusive and credible democratic processes in Burma to usher in genuine dialogue and national reconciliation and a more secure and prosperous future for its people.