Statement of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism on the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism is appalled with the verdict imposed upon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi ordering her to serve an 18-month sentence under house arrest. We believe that her trial was not free and fair and the charges filed against her have no concrete basis. The sentence imposed by the government is a step backward in its Roadmap to Democracy which includes the commitment to release political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

We strongly support the call of ASEAN and the rest of the international community urging Myanmar to reconsider its decision and to carry out its human rights commitments. Myanmar’s ratification of the ASEAN Charter entails its adherence to the rule of law, good governance, and the principles of democracy and constitutional government as provided under the principles of the Charter.

Moreover, its endorsement of the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights during the 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Phuket, Thailand connotes its commitment to uphold the principles set forth in that seminal instrument. It is now time for the government of Myanmar to show its sincerity to uphold, respect and fulfill its human rights obligations and commitments. Attention is again called to the fact that the primary responsibility to promote and protect human rights rests with each and every member-state.

We therefore reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her aides. We urge Myanmar to live up to its human rights obligations and be accountable for the well-being of its people. These steps will significantly contribute to the process of national reconciliation and to the work for peace and prosperity in Myanmar and the ASEAN region.