Club de Madrid strongly condemns the conviction and sentencing of Myanmar’s President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders to four years of imprisonment -reduced to two years soon thereafter-by a military-controlled court. Once again, we call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Myanmar and for the re-establishment of the democratic transition process.
As former Heads of State and Government from democratic countries we add our voices to that of our fellow Club de Madrid Member Michelle Bachelet, currently UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her condemnation of the “sham trial in secretive proceedings before a military-controlled court” and in which she stressed that this sentence will only “deepen rejection of the coup”.
The steadfast and predominantly non-violent protests despite repressive and draconian measures by the Military Junta are a powerful expression of the resolute will of the people in support of democracy. The demand of the people of Myanmar to honour the results of the last elections won with a clear majority by the National League for Democracy led by Club de Madrid Honorary Member and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, must not be ignored any longer.
Club de Madrid urges the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to publicly reject this politically motivated and unjust sentencing and to implement its Five-Point Consensus as well as its proposal to promote a process of inclusive dialogue to solve the current crisis in Myanmar. We also urge the international community to redouble its efforts towards a peaceful political settlement in an increasingly challenging context with new and exacerbated tensions and political violence.
Club de Madrid urges the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to publicly reject this politically motivated and unjust sentencing. The ASEAN must not falter in the implementation of its Five-Point Consensus through its proposed process of inclusive dialogue to solve the current crisis in Myanmar. We further urge the international community to redouble its efforts towards a speedy, durable and peaceful political settlement to prevent the loss of further innocent lives and suffering in Myanmar.