Nobel Women's Initiative

18 May 2009

Dear Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,

We are writing to you to urge your immediate action against the false imprisonment of our friend and fellow Nobel Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi.  We note that your Spokesperson issued a statement on May 14, 2009 in which you expressed being "gravely concerned about the news that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to the Insein Prison to face criminal charges."

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's trial, as well as that of her fellow NLD members Daw Khin Khin Win and Daw Win Ma Ma, started today.  The trial is a mockery.  There is no judicial system in Burma. It is clear that this is an excuse by the military junta to add trumped-up charges at a time when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's unlawful detention was scheduled to end May 27, 2009.

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We are extremely concerned about the health of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Insein Prison is infamous for its inhumane and treacherous conditions, where prisoners endure mental and physical torture.

We are outraged by the deplorable actions of the military junta against Ms. Suu Kyi and strongly encourage challenging this obvious harassment and intimidation of our fellow Nobel Laureate. We urge you to do everything possible to procur her immediate and unconditional release.  As your statement noted: "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is an essential partner for dialogue in Myanmar’s national reconciliation and calls on the Government not to take any further action that could undermine this important process...Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all those who have a contribution to make to the future of their country must be free to be able to do so to ensure that the political process is credible.”

You have repeatedly called for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release but these calls have fallen on deaf ears.  It is long past due for vigorous diplomatic action on Burma.  Our fellow Laureate is beloved by her country men and women;  the regime continues to create instability in Burma through force and fear.  We urge you to discuss this matter with members of the United Nations Security Council and to do so as expeditiously as possible.

On February 19, 2008 we issued an Appeal in which we called "upon the international community to actively work to implement arms embargoes against the regime."  We stand by this Appeal and reiterate that call.

Some of the undersigned will be seeking a meeting with your Excellency to follow up on our requests.

Respectfully submitted,

President Oscar Arias
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Jody Williams
Shirin Ebadi
Rigoberta Menchú Tum
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel
Wangari Maathai
Mairead Corrigan Maguire
Betty Williams
President José Ramos Horta
The Dalai Lama