www.conservativehumanrights.com

September 26: Burma’s democracy leader, Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, was invited to speak at next week’s Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth, but remains ‘incommunicado’ under house arrest in Rangoon.

Speaking today on the 18th anniversary of the founding of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), the Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, Gary Streeter MP, called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma. The Shadow Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has written a letter of support to NLD, which will be delivered in Rangoon today.

Gary Streeter wrote to Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese Ambassador in London U Nay Win over two months ago, but has received no reply from either. (See Notes to Editors).

Aung San Suu Kyi has spent over 10 years in house arrest. In 1990, the NLD won over 80 per cent of the parliamentary seats in an election, but the military regime rejected the results and imprisoned many of the victors.

In his letter to the NLD, Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague writes: “You and your members have shown extraordinary courage and commitment over the past 18 years, in the face of appallingly repressive treatment, to keep alive the vision of a democratic, peaceful Burma, in which the human rights of all the people of Burma are respected …. We will continue to urge the British government to be active in support of a better future for the people of Burma.”

The UN Security Council this month voted to put the issue of Burma on its formal agenda for the first time. Mr Hague said: “We believe it is urgent that Burma be bought to the agenda of the United Nations Security Council, and that a resolution must be passed requiring Burma’s junta to implement a plan for national reconciliation and restore democratically-elected government.”

Zoya Phan, a Karen activist from Burma, has been invited address the Conservative Party Conference during the foreign affairs session.

For further information please contact:

Nigel Double, Special Adviser to Gary Streeter MP
Email: DOUBLEN@parliament.uk

Ben Rogers, Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission:
Email: brogers50@hotmail.com