The Norwegian Government condemns the Burmese military regime’s infringement of Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratic rights and is deeply concerned about her safety. Through our embassy in Bangkok we have protested against the Burmese authorities’ treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi and called attention to her right to travel freely in the country. The Norwegian Government urges the junta to enter into a dialogue with the opposition.

On Thursday 24 August, Aung San Suu Kyi and around a dozen members of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), were stopped by the military junta while they were on their way to a meeting outside Rangoon. Aung San Suu Kyi refused to obey the junta’s orders to return to the capital. Now, five days later, she is still sitting in the car that was to drive her to a meeting with members of the NLD.

Norway regards the incident as a new attempt on the part of the junta to gag the lawfully elected opposition by refusing to allow Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of her party to exercise their right to travel freely in Burma. We are very concerned about Aung San Suu Kyi's health and that of her party colleagues, and will hold the Burmese authorities responsible for any consequences.