Statement of Minister Schwarzenberg on UNWGAD's Opinion
24.03.2009 / 19:29
Statement of Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg concerning release of the UNWGAD’s (UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention) Opinion on the ongoing detention of Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by source of the case, US-based NGO Freedom Now:
“I fully welcome this official opinion of UN agency which unambiguously confirms the opinion of many that Burmese regime lacks the respect of not only international law and human rights, but also its own legislation.
I use this opportunity to urge again the Burmese authorities not to violate its own and international law. I appeal on the Burmese junta to immediately and unconditionally release ASSK and all other political prisoners and detainees and begin an inclusive and genuine dialogue with the opposition groups and ethnic groups leading to their equitable participation in the political process.”
| On Tuesday, 24 March 2009, US-based NGO "Freedom Now" (source of the case) released a striking Opinion of UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) that the ongoing detention of Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) violates not only the international, but also its own domestic Burmese law. The UNWGAD declared that individuals detained under the Burmese State Protection Law may only be kept for five years. As ASSK detention commenced in May 2003, its extension beyond May 2008 was not permissible. From 1992, the UNWGAD has already issued four opinions that ASSK's prior house arrests violated the international law; this is the first UNWGAD's opinion declaring ASSK's placement under house arrest violates also domestic Burmese law. |