Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Henry for raising this matter on the Adjournment. The Government unreservedly condemns the imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy, and demands her immediate and unconditional release. On 30 May 2003, she was travelling in northern Burma. According to reports, her supporters were attacked and fired on by followers of the Union, Solidarity and Development Association, a group which supports the Burmese regime. Along with 18 others, Aung San Suu Kyi was detained and unconfirmed reports at the time indicate that she received head injuries. I understand she has since been brought back to the Rangoon area and is now in custody. Recent reports indicate she is being imprisoned at the infamous insane prison. At the time of the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese Government also announced the closure of a number of offices of the National League for Democracy and universities.

On 10 June 2003, Mr. Rosali Ishmael, the special representative of the United Nations Secretary General, was allowed to visit Aung San Suu Kyi in her prison cell and he reported her to be unharmed. Mr. Rosali stated that he had received assurances from the regime that she would be soon released, but, to date, it has not responded to the calls by the international community and she has not yet been released, nor is she allowed visitors.

On 2 June 2003, Mr. Solana, the representative for the European Union common foreign and security policy, issued a statement condemning the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi by the military Government of Burma. He urged her immediate release and the reopening of the offices of the National League for Democracy. He added that the regime's repressive behaviour confirmed its lack of interest in the return to democracy. It will almost certainly, and rightly, reinforce the European Union's resolve to stick to the current policy of sanctions against the military regime. The Government fully associated itself with Mr. Solana's statement.

A démarche on behalf of the EU was also delivered by the acting presidency in Rangoon to the Burmese authorities. It sought the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and her party officials and the reopening of the National League for Democracy offices and universities. The European Union called on the Burmese authorities to refrain from any action which might inflame further tensions and co-operate fully and constructively with Razali Ismail, special representative of the United Nations Secretary General.

Statements have also been made by Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, on 31 May and 23 June regarding developments in Burma. He called on the regime to release immediately Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the NLD and work with all parties, including the NLD, to bring about national reconciliation in Burma as soon as possible. Recent events in Burma have been discussed by officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Burmese and ethnic leaders of the Democratic Movement in Exile. Recently, these leaders participated in capacity building training in Ireland which was funded by Ireland Aid.