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05/01/2012
Hague To Meet Burma Leaders
Foreign Secretary William Hague is visiting Burma on Wednesday, meeting both President Thein Sein, and spokesperson for the democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Commenting ahead of his visit, the Foreign Secretary said it was the first by any British Foreign Secretary in more than half a century, and made possible by encouraging recent steps taken by the Burmese government.
A moderately civilian led Government replaced the country's long standing military junta last year, which went on to free the democracy campaigner Suu Kyi from house arrest.
Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy, are expected to enter into democratic elections for the first time this year.
After stating his intention to encourage the Burmese government to continue on its "path of reform", Mr Hague said he welcomed the release of a number of other political prisoners, which were arrested by the former dictatorial junta.
"The release of some political prisoners, the dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, improvements in media freedoms, and changes to legislation that have enabled the National League for Democracy to participate in this year’s by-elections are welcome reforms which we urge the government to build on.
"Further steps are needed that will have a lasting impact on human rights and political freedom in Burma. In particular, we hope to see the release of all remaining political prisoners, free and fair by-elections, humanitarian access to people in conflict areas, and credible steps towards national reconciliation."
Marking the visit, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sent a message to post on the Foreign Secretary's Facebook page.
(DW)
Commenting ahead of his visit, the Foreign Secretary said it was the first by any British Foreign Secretary in more than half a century, and made possible by encouraging recent steps taken by the Burmese government.
A moderately civilian led Government replaced the country's long standing military junta last year, which went on to free the democracy campaigner Suu Kyi from house arrest.
Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy, are expected to enter into democratic elections for the first time this year.
After stating his intention to encourage the Burmese government to continue on its "path of reform", Mr Hague said he welcomed the release of a number of other political prisoners, which were arrested by the former dictatorial junta.
"The release of some political prisoners, the dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, improvements in media freedoms, and changes to legislation that have enabled the National League for Democracy to participate in this year’s by-elections are welcome reforms which we urge the government to build on.
"Further steps are needed that will have a lasting impact on human rights and political freedom in Burma. In particular, we hope to see the release of all remaining political prisoners, free and fair by-elections, humanitarian access to people in conflict areas, and credible steps towards national reconciliation."
Marking the visit, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sent a message to post on the Foreign Secretary's Facebook page.
(DW)
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