Statement by the Prime Minister

August 11, 2009

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the Burmese regime’s decision to sentence Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months house arrest:

“Canada strongly condemns the Burmese regime’s decision to sentence Aung San Suu Kyi to a further 18 months house arrest.
 
“This decision is clearly not in accordance with the rule of law: the charges laid against her were baseless and her trial did not come close to meeting international standards of due process.  Her continued detention is unwarranted, unjustified, and vindictive.   

“Canada believes the Burmese regime has manufactured an excuse to keep Aung San Suu Kyi in detention to ensure she will not be able to participate in the proposed 2010 elections.  This is just the latest evidence that this regime is not serious about pursuing legitimate democratic elections in Burma.  Canada calls for the regime to unconditionally free all political prisoners and allow all citizens, including opposition groups, to freely participate in the electoral process.

“Canada is appalled by the ongoing repressive actions of the Burmese regime and its continued disregard for the fundamental freedoms and basic human rights of the people of Burma.  We have imposed the toughest sanctions in the entire world against the regime to protest its treatment of its people.  We are proud to have conferred honorary Canadian citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her ongoing struggle to promote freedom and democracy in Burma.

“We will continue to stand with the people of Burma and insist that their human rights be respected and their voices heard.”