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

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement on Myanmar today, 27 May:

I regret the decision of the Government of Myanmar to extend for a sixth consecutive year the detention under house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD).  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.  In this regard, I expect my Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari, to continue on my behalf the process of political dialogue that he has begun with both the Myanmar authorities and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the context of his good offices mandate.

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For information media • not an official record