Burma's Suu Kyi Meets Rights Group

by Ma Nguyen Tong

31-1-2003

Two representatives from the human rights group Amnesty International made a landmark visit to Burma and met with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first official visit by the group, which had consistently criticised Burma's military government for its human rights record. Burma invited Amnesty to visit as part of the government's efforts to convince the international community it was serious about improving its human rights record. However, correspondents warned the invitation could have been nothing more than a cosmetic gesture, pointing out that the two Amnesty representatives did not have enough time to make a thorough assessment. There was mounting concern that reconciliation talks between the government and opposition had stalled.

Little progress

Hopes were raised of meaningful progress in Burma in 2002 when the government released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, but there had been little progress since.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won 1990 elections by a landslide, but the military government ignored the result. The United States and European Union imposed sanctions on Burma, which was now isolated politically and economically.

Amnesty International's representatives were granted 10 day visas. They hoped to speak to a range of people from the government and opposition. But fears were expressed for the safety of any Burmese people they interviewed, who could have become targets for state harassment after the international observers left.