Statement by the President on Aung San Suu Kyi’s conviction and sentencing
August 11, 2009
The conviction and sentencing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi today on charges related to an uninvited
intrusion into her home violate universal principles of human rights, run counter to Burma’s
commitments under the ASEAN charter, and demonstrate continued disregard for UN Security
Council statements. I join the international community in calling for Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate
unconditional release.
Today’s unjust decision reminds us of the thousands of other political prisoners in Burma who, like
Aung San Suu Kyi, have been denied their liberty because of their pursuit of a government that
respects the will, rights, and aspirations of all Burmese citizens. They, too, should be freed.
Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. I call on the Burmese regime to heed
the views of its own people and the international community and to work towards genuine national
reconciliation.
I am also concerned by the sentencing of American citizen John Yettaw to seven years in prison, a
punishment out of proportion with his actions.
August 11, 2009
The conviction and sentencing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi today on charges related to an uninvited
intrusion into her home violate universal principles of human rights, run counter to Burma’s
commitments under the ASEAN charter, and demonstrate continued disregard for UN Security
Council statements. I join the international community in calling for Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate
unconditional release.
Today’s unjust decision reminds us of the thousands of other political prisoners in Burma who, like
Aung San Suu Kyi, have been denied their liberty because of their pursuit of a government that
respects the will, rights, and aspirations of all Burmese citizens. They, too, should be freed.
Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. I call on the Burmese regime to heed
the views of its own people and the international community and to work towards genuine national
reconciliation.
I am also concerned by the sentencing of American citizen John Yettaw to seven years in prison, a
punishment out of proportion with his actions.
From the White House
