Supporters of Daw Suu not allowed to see her despite the SPDC’s claim

DVB ( 10 November 2003 )

The UN special human rights envoy to Burma, Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro told journalists at a news conference in Rangoon on 8 November that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi warned the SPDC she won’t accept liberty for herself if 35 colleagues arrested in connection with Dipeyin incident are not released from prisons and house arrests.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi insisted that her demand is not her reaction but it is to do with accountability and the rule of law, according to Mr. Pinheiro.

At the same time, the SPDC is refusing to allow an independent inquiry into Dipeyin incident, he added.

Despite the claim of the SPDC that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is no longer being detained, diplomats based in Rangoon and her supporters including her legal representatives who are urgently dealing with her inheritance lawsuit are still not allowed to see her. The phone line connection to her house is also still cut off.

U Pu Cin Shin Thang of UNA (United Nationalities Alliance) told DVB that the envoy told ethnic national leaders in a meeting that the ‘National Convention’ would only be genuine and fair if it is participated by representatives of all the people of Burma and if it is enforced by a single group like the SPDC, it could amount to human right abuses.

Mr Pinheiro met 19 political prisoners including U Thu Wei and U Win Tin inside Insein Prison, according to U Pu Cin Shin Thang. Pinheiro told ethnic national leaders to wait for his report to the UN General Assembly on 12 November.

The ethnic nationals are said to be encouraged by the words and disposition of the envoy as his ideas and efforts are in accordance with their aspirations.