Norway condemns conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi

“Today’s conviction of opposition politician and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is unacceptable. This is a political judgment and an attempt on the part of the regime to prevent her from taking part in the forthcoming elections,” said Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.  

Aung San Suu Kyi was today sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, which the regime reduced to 18 months’ house arrest. She was charged with violating the terms of her house arrest when a US citizen broke into her home in May and stayed overnight in the building where she was being held. 

“With this sentence, the regime has missed an opportunity to demonstrate that they want the country to follow an inclusive and democratic path of development. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi would have been a step in the right direction before next year’s elections.  

“Now it is important for the international community to react. I will raise the matter with the UN Secretary-General when he visits Norway later this month, said Mr Støre. 

Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for 13 of the last 19 years. Norway has repeatedly called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners in Burma.