Ban reaffirms concerns over Myanmar in response to US senators’ letter

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today that he shared concerns expressed in a letter sent to him by a group of United States senators about the situation in Myanmar, particularly the continued detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“The Secretary-General and his Special Adviser have repeatedly called for her release and that of other political prisoners, and will continue to do so,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

The letter was sent by 10 women senators who urged Mr. Ban to pressure the South-East Asian country to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and to drop controversial election plans, according to media reports.

“The Secretary-General continues to follow closely the situation in Myanmar to promote national reconciliation, democratic transition, and respect for human rights in accordance with the mandate given to him by the General Assembly,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson added in response.

Following the return of Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari from Myanmar in February, Mr. Ban reiterated his call for the release of the hundreds of political prisoners still in detention, including the Nobel Peace Prize holding opposition leader.

Mr. Ban also called for the resumption of dialogue between the Government and the opposition “without delay and without preconditions.”

Mr. Gambari, who told the Security Council that there was some movement toward “tangible outcomes” from his 31 January to 3 February good offices visit, was prepared to extend the UN’s political facilitation, Mr. Ban added at the time.

Although he said he has been given assurances that all political forces in Myanmar would be allowed to participate freely in multi-party elections scheduled for 2010, the Special Adviser has called on the Government to take steps to enhance their credibility

Ms. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years and her current period of detention started in 2003.