Anger at extension of Suu Kyi's detention
TEN:Myanmar's military rulers have extended the five-year detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, prompting a chorus of international disapproval.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the junta's decision was "regrettable."
"The sooner restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures are lifted, the sooner Myanmar will be able to move towards (being an) inclusive nation, reconciliation, the restoration of democracy and the full respect for human rights," Ban said.
U.S. President George W. Bush said he was "deeply troubled" about the decision.
"Aung San Suu Kyi's current house arrest dates back to May 2003, when she was detained following the murderous assault by regime-sponsored thugs on her motorcade in Depayin," Bush said in a statement.
"The United States calls upon the regime to release all political prisoners in Burma and begin a genuine dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi."
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said: 'I was saddened, if not surprised, to learn that the Burmese Government has, once again, decided to extend the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. Along with some 2,000 other political prisoners in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi lost her freedom for simply expressing a desire to bring democracy to Burma."
Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. She has become the face of the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar and the focus of a global campaign to free her.
Suu Kyi is the daughter of the country's martyred independence leader, Gen. Aung San. Her National League for Democracy party is the country's largest legal opposition group, and it retains the loyalty of millions of citizens despite two decades of repression.
The junta has confined Suu Kyi in her home for 12 of the past 18 years. Her latest house arrest began in 2003 and has been renewed annually for the last five years.
It is unclear if Suu Kyi's confinement had been extended for six months or for a year as there were conflicting reports.
Because Myanmar's government exercises tight control of news within the country, exile groups are often the only source of information about what is happening inside.
Two exile groups -- Mizzima and the Democratic Voice of Burma -- said the detention was extended for six months but a government source, speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press it was extended by 12 months.
Suu Kyi's lawyer, Jared Genser, said he did not know how long the confinement would be but he added any length of time would be illegal because Myanmar's law states Suu Kyi could only be held in confinement for five years.
"They should have released her or put her on trial," Genser said. "Their failure to do so not only flouts their own law but international law." Watch CNN interview with Suu Kyi's lawyer »
The country last held multiparty elections in 1990, but the regime rejected the result --a victory by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, Win said.
On Monday, Myanmar state media said that voters had overwhelmingly approved a draft constitution that strengthens the junta's rule.
State television station, MRTV4, reported that 92.93 percent of eligible voters approved the constitution in a referendum held Saturday.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said it had received indications that the referendum was conducted "in an atmosphere of official coercion and vote tampering."
The military government refused international or independent referendum monitors and United Nations assistance in conducting the voting, the group said.
The balloting was conducted in the middle of a humanitarian crisis in the Irrawaddy Delta and other regions devastated when Cyclone Nargis made landfall on May 2.
About 130,000 people either died or are missing, according to the United Nations, and more than 2 million have been rendered homeless.
Because of the disaster, the government postponed the original May 10 balloting in those cyclone-hit areas.
But voting did take place in other areas of the country and the government said those voters approved the referendum in equally overwhelming numbers: 92.48 percent.
The draft constitution makes way for general elections in 2010, but it has been met with skepticism from pro-democracy opposition leaders.
The changes grant 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military and states that the president can cede power to the military during a state of emergency.
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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the junta's decision was "regrettable."
"The sooner restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures are lifted, the sooner Myanmar will be able to move towards (being an) inclusive nation, reconciliation, the restoration of democracy and the full respect for human rights," Ban said.
U.S. President George W. Bush said he was "deeply troubled" about the decision.
"Aung San Suu Kyi's current house arrest dates back to May 2003, when she was detained following the murderous assault by regime-sponsored thugs on her motorcade in Depayin," Bush said in a statement.
"The United States calls upon the regime to release all political prisoners in Burma and begin a genuine dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi."
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said: 'I was saddened, if not surprised, to learn that the Burmese Government has, once again, decided to extend the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. Along with some 2,000 other political prisoners in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi lost her freedom for simply expressing a desire to bring democracy to Burma."
Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. She has become the face of the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar and the focus of a global campaign to free her.
Suu Kyi is the daughter of the country's martyred independence leader, Gen. Aung San. Her National League for Democracy party is the country's largest legal opposition group, and it retains the loyalty of millions of citizens despite two decades of repression.
The junta has confined Suu Kyi in her home for 12 of the past 18 years. Her latest house arrest began in 2003 and has been renewed annually for the last five years.
It is unclear if Suu Kyi's confinement had been extended for six months or for a year as there were conflicting reports.
Because Myanmar's government exercises tight control of news within the country, exile groups are often the only source of information about what is happening inside.
Two exile groups -- Mizzima and the Democratic Voice of Burma -- said the detention was extended for six months but a government source, speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press it was extended by 12 months.
Suu Kyi's lawyer, Jared Genser, said he did not know how long the confinement would be but he added any length of time would be illegal because Myanmar's law states Suu Kyi could only be held in confinement for five years.
"They should have released her or put her on trial," Genser said. "Their failure to do so not only flouts their own law but international law." Watch CNN interview with Suu Kyi's lawyer »
The country last held multiparty elections in 1990, but the regime rejected the result --a victory by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, Win said.
On Monday, Myanmar state media said that voters had overwhelmingly approved a draft constitution that strengthens the junta's rule.
State television station, MRTV4, reported that 92.93 percent of eligible voters approved the constitution in a referendum held Saturday.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said it had received indications that the referendum was conducted "in an atmosphere of official coercion and vote tampering."
The military government refused international or independent referendum monitors and United Nations assistance in conducting the voting, the group said.
The balloting was conducted in the middle of a humanitarian crisis in the Irrawaddy Delta and other regions devastated when Cyclone Nargis made landfall on May 2.
About 130,000 people either died or are missing, according to the United Nations, and more than 2 million have been rendered homeless.
Because of the disaster, the government postponed the original May 10 balloting in those cyclone-hit areas.
But voting did take place in other areas of the country and the government said those voters approved the referendum in equally overwhelming numbers: 92.48 percent.
The draft constitution makes way for general elections in 2010, but it has been met with skepticism from pro-democracy opposition leaders.
The changes grant 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military and states that the president can cede power to the military during a state of emergency.
If you like this article Share it and spread the word!
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