Aung San Suu Kyi freed in Burma

Burma pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was freed today, allowing her to greet supporters after seven years of house arrest.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been in detention for 15 of the past 21 years because of her opposition to 48 years of military rule.

Her release comes just a week after the first election in 20 years, which was won by an army-backed party, but criticized by the international community for being neither free nor fair.

Benedict Rogers, Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s East Asian Team Leader and author of Than Shwe: Unmasking Burma’s Tyrant, said her release cannot be seen as a sign of progress in the country.

“We have campaigned for Aung San Suu Kyi for many years, so we welcome her release today. But her release alone is no measure of progress, unless it is accompanied by the release of all other political prisoners, an end to attacks on ethnic civilians including rape, forced labour, torture and killings, and the beginning of a meaningful dialogue between the regime, the democracy movement and the ethnic nationalities. The regime in Burma should seize the moment of Aung San Suu Kyi’s release to begin a dialogue with her, leading to a transition to true democracy and national reconciliation. The UN Secretary-General should lead efforts to encourage the regime in this direction. Her release after 15 years of house arrest is very welcome, but there is still a very long way to go.”

Listen to Benedict Roger's full interview with Charles Collins: