Myanmar’s (Burma) pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was charged today with violating the terms of her house arrest after an American man allegedly snuck into her home last week. She now faces a prison term of up to five years – just weeks before her house arrest was set to expire on May 27th.
With general elections coming up next year many have questioned the timing of the arrest as pretext to prevent Suu Kyi’s involvement. Is it merely a convenient coincidence? You decide.
Suu Kyi’s female companion, Khin Khin Win, and Khin Khin Win’s daughter were also arrested at the same time. Amnesty International is demanding that the U.N. Security Council, notably China and Japan, and ASEAN countries, urgently intervene to secure their release. They are best placed to bring the necessary pressure to bear on the Myanmar government.
Aung San Suu Kyi, Khin Khin Win and her daughter are now among the more than 2,100 political prisoners currently being held in prison in Myanmar. Conditions in Myanmar prisons are extremely bad and jeopardize the health of prisoners. Take action now to demand Suu Kyi’s and other political prisoners’ immediate release from prison!