UN Sec-Gen reiterates his call for release of Suu Kyi as Myanmar goes to polls

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday reiterated his call for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as that country prepares to hold its first elections in 20 years. He called for a "fair, transparent and inclusive" vote.

Speaking to media persons after a meeting of his Group of Friends of Myanmar, a closed door session, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Mr. Ban said the coming month will be "critical" as Burma prepares for the November 7 vote.

It is the third time the 14 countries have come together at the foreign ministers level. He said members of the group discussed ways to intensify their efforts to help the government and people achieve a "successful transition toward a credible civilian and democratic government."

The Group of Friends also called on authorities to take steps to release all political prisoners, including the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

“This is essential for the elections to be seen as credible and to contribute to Myanmar’s stability and development,” the Secretary-General said.

“At this critical stage in Myanmar’s transition, it is all the more important that the Group, and especially Myanmar’s neighbours, encourages Myanmar to engage meaningfully with my good offices. The Group encourages the Government of Myanmar to adopt a more constructive and forward-looking approach in its response to the international community’s call for engagement.”

The Group of Friends today reiterated their commitment to work together to help Myanmar tackle its political, humanitarian and development challenges, and to encourage the country to make further steps towards national reconciliation and democracy.

Formed in 2007, the Group of more than a dozen nations and regional blocs is designed to serve as a consultative forum for developing a shared approach in support of the Secretary-General’s good offices mandate on Myanmar.

Mr. Ban said he would continue his dialogue with Myanmar’s authorities in the coming weeks, including at a meeting next month of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

He said he had already conveyed his strong wish to Myanmar that the upcoming elections be fair, transparent and inclusive and that all political detainees – including Ms. Suu Kyi – are released.

- Asian Tribune -