Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest extended

“We were greatly disappointed by the news that Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi will continue to be kept under house arrest. The recent announcement of the release of several thousand prisoners, including certain opposition politicians, had given rise to hope that the situation would improve,” said Foreign Minister Jan Petersen.

Norway has been working for a number of years to promote democracy in Burma, and has repeatedly called for national reconciliation and respect for human rights. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi would be an important step forward. This matter was raised most recently in a meeting between the Norwegian Ambassador to Burma and the Burmese authorities a couple of weeks ago.

“Norway will continue to urge the authorities in Burma to enter into dialogue with the various opposition groups and ethnic minorities with a view to creating an inclusive reconciliation and democratisation process in the country,” said Mr Petersen.