Aung San Suu Kyi's Appeal Rejected

Burma’s Supreme Court rejected an appeal to end the house arrest of pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. “Although no reason was offered, it is widely believed that Burma’s ruling generals will continue to detain Aung San Suu Kyi in order to prevent her from participating in the upcoming election, which is expected to be held at some point later this year. Burma’s new constitution already bars her from running for any political office. Even so, it is clear that the military fears the influence she has over the people of Burma. This latest development -- and the government’s refusal to release the more than 2,100 political prisoners being held in Burmese jails -- only serves to reinforce the view that military leaders have no intention to hold an inclusive, free, and fair election. Without the full participation of opposition and ethnic groups in the political process, it will be impossible to have a credible outcome," says Suzanne DiMaggio, Asia Society’s Director of Policy Studies and the Director of the Society’s Task Force on U.S. Policy towards Burma/Myanmar. The Task Force will release its report in Washington, DC, on March 31, and in New York on April 7.

Suzanne is in New York. To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected].