Aung San Suu Kyi appeals against her detention

Solomon
Mizzima News
October 10, 2008

New Delhi - Burma's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday submitted an appeal to the Burmese government regarding the extension of her house arrest.

The appeal, which called for legal scrutiny of the continued detention of pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was prepared by the Nobel Peace Laureate and her family lawyer Kyi Win. It was submitted to the government by lawyer Hla Myo Myint, aide of Kyi Win, in Burma's new jungle capital Naypyitaw.

"The appeal has been submitted to the government cabinet," Nyan Win the National League for Democracy party spokesperson said.

The NLD party general secretary Aung San Suu Kyi has spent more than 12 of the past 18 years in some form of detention. Her last detention began in May 2003 following a brutal attack by pro-junta mobs on her motorcade during a political trip in Northern Burma's Depayin town.

She completed five consecutive years of detention in May 2008. And according to her personal lawyer and her party members, Burmese law permits a maximum of five consecutive years of detention. It has accused the junta of breaching its own law.

But the junta has said its interpretation of the law allows a maximum of six years and extended her detention period in May.

"They [the government] accepted the appeal and put a signature against the receipt. Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers are now waiting for a response from the government," Nyan Win said.

"We believe she will be free if there is a fair trial in keeping with the law," said Nyan Win. "We hope they [the government] will abide by the law."

While Aung San Suu Kyi is currently in fine health, Nyan Win said she was visited by her family doctor Tin Myo Win and an eye specialist last week.