May 29, 2007, 7:07 GMT
Manila - The Philippines on Tuesday slammed Myanmar's (Burma's) decision to extend the house arrest of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a sign of the junta's 'unwillingness' to implement genuine democratic reforms.
It called on Myanmar to reconsider the decision to extend Suu Kyi's detention for one year and to lift her house arrest.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said the move contradicts Myanmar's promises to adhere to its road map to Democracy.
'This delay in Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release - and those of other political prisoners - reflects the Myanmar government's unwillingness to demonstrate its genuine commitment to full democratization and national reconciliation,' he said in a statement.
'Extending Suu Kyi's house arrest is an impediment to the achievement of Myanmar's road map to Democracy,' he added. 'And any delay in this process is one delay too long for Myanmar's people and for democracy.'
Suu Kyi, 61, has spent almost 12 of the past 17 years under house arrest at her family compound in Yangon. Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of her most recent term of detention.
Romulo said the Philippines joins the call for the release of Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Myanmar to pave the way for 'constructive dialogue towards nation-building at the soonest possible time.'
'We also believe that this will help hasten the attainment of a truly caring and sharing ASEAN community,' he said.
The Philippines currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has often been criticised for failing to pressure Myanmar into implementing its promised democratic reforms.
Myanmar's abysmal human rights record and failure to move forward in democratization have become a cause of friction between ASEAN and key partners, such as the United States and the European Union.
Aside from Myanmar and the Philippines, the 10-member ASEAN also includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
In July, the ASEAN will host Asia's largest security forum as part of its annual ministerial meetings in Manila. While Myanmar was not expected to be in the formal agenda of the meetings, it was expected to be discussed in various fora during the event.
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