The Burma Campaign UK welcomes the release from house arrest of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The release of the Nobel laureate is a crucial step towards the political and economic revival of Burma. However, the process is likely to be long and difficult, and the international pressure which has been a major factor in bringing the generals to negotiate with Daw Suu must not be eased until the process is irreversible. Restoration of international assistance should depend on political progress and be subject to a veto by the National League for Democracy.
The Burma Campaign UK calls for the following ‘First steps for a free Burma’:
1.The unconditional release of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
This means her being able to move freely and communicate or meet with anyone she chooses, whether this is within or outside the country.
2. The unconditional release of all political prisoners
These should include people in the border regions detained for contact with “illegal organisations”.
3. Freedom for all political parties to function normally
This would include full freedom of association, assembly, expression, communication and movement for all political parties, including the National League for Democracy and non-Burman parties, and the restoration of similar freedoms for the other sectors of civil society.
4. The declaration of a nationwide cease-fire
This would enable all the armed groups to participate in the process of national reconciliation.
5. Broad-based cooperation to tackle the humanitarian crisis, including the HIV/AIDS pandemic
This would involve cooperation between the military, the NLD and other parties, ethnic groups, United Nations agencies and international and local NGOs. This cooperation could also help build trust among the various groups involved.
6. A public commitment by all relevant actors to a genuine dialogue leading, via a transitional administration, to a restored democracy
Burma Campaign UK