Myanmar: Leading MEPs call on the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi from detention and to restore democracy

Joint statement on Aung San Suu Kyi’s court sentence from the Chairs of the Committees on Foreign Affairs and of the Delegation for relations with South- East Asia and ASEAN The Chairs of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister (EPP, DE) and of the Delegation on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Daniel Caspary (EPP, DE) condemned the sentences of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint to two years of detention. They called for the immediate and unconditional release of both politicians and all political prisoners, the start of a national reconciliation process and the restoration of democracy, underlined both Chairs in their Statement.

„We sharply condemn the court sentences against State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint guilty of incitement and breaking Covid restrictions. The verdicts are politically motivated with the aim to remove both politicians and the National League for Democracy from the political landscape. The trial of a closed court without access for observers violates the basic principles of the rule of law and human rights. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and all political prisoners as well as all those arbitrarily
arrested since 1 February this year. Since the military coup, the broad majority of people of Myanmar have demonstrated their wish to live in a nation where the principles of democracy, human rights and the
rule of law are respected and pursued. The unwillingness to restore democracy is driving Myanmar to increasing conflicts and widespread violence, thus leading to major displacements and to a large-scale humanitarian crisis. Therefore, the European Parliament urges the Tatmadaw to respect the outcome of the November 2020 general elections and to restore democracy in the country. The Parliament must be immediately reopened, with access given to all elected representatives, and the legitimate civilian government must be restored. In this context, we fully support the efforts by ASEAN and the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy, in close cooperation with the UN, for an inclusive dialogue process by implementing ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus.“

David McAllister (EPP, DE) Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and
Daniel Caspary (EPP, DE) Chair of the Delegation for the Countries of South East Asia and the ASEAN

Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/243309/2021-12-06%20AFET-DASE%20Joint%20Statement%20on%20detention%20ASSK%20in%20Myanmar.pdf