SECRETARY-GENERAL REGRETS MYANMAR OPPOSITION LEADER’S HOUSE ARREST EXTENSION

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General deeply regrets the decision of the Government of Myanmar to extend once again the detention under house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD), despite his direct appeal to Myanmar’s senior leadership and the many public calls worldwide for her release.  He strongly believes that, the sooner restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures are lifted, the sooner Myanmar will be able to move towards inclusive national reconciliation, the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights.

The Secretary-General is determined to continue working towards tangible progress in Myanmar through the use of his good offices mandate, as entrusted by the General Assembly.  He has instructed his Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari, to energetically continue his dialogue with the Government and people of Myanmar.

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For information media • not an official record