Press Release : International IDEA Welcomes Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Press Release

Stockholm 6 May 2002

Aung San Suu Kyi

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) welcomes the release by the Burmese military authorities of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Leader of the Burmese National League for Democracy (NLD), Nobel Laureate and a long-standing member of International IDEA's Board of Directors, Aung San Suu Kyi could walk free earlier today after spending nearly 20 months under house arrest.

In a telegram sent to Aung San Suu Kyi today following her release, Chairman of the Board Thorvald Stoltenberg sends the good wishes of "all your friends on the Board of International IDEA" to the freed Burmese opposition leader, and notes that the Institute is "looking forward to working with you again".

The daughter of assassinated Burmese independence hero Aung San, prior to her detention in October 2000 Aung San Suu Kyi was previously held under house arrest for six years (1989-1995), despite widespread international condemnation. Under her leadership the NLD won a landslide victory in elections held in 1990, a result that was never recognized by the country's military rulers.

In a statement issued following her release Aung San Suu Kyi described it as "a new dawn for the country". She went on to add, however, that her release "should not be looked as at a major breakthrough for democracy. For all people in Burma to enjoy basic freedom - that would be a major breakthrough."

For more information contact:

Karin-Lis Svarre, Director of Information
Tel: +46 8 698 3704, Mobile: +46 70 429 3704

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) exists to nurture, sustain and promote democracy around the world. Global in membership and scope, independent of specific national interests, and quick in its response, International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization with a unique mandate - to support the growth of genuine, sustainable democracy.