UN council urges political freedoms for all in Myanmar (Roundup)

May 2, 2008, 17:29 GMT

New York - The UN Security Council on Friday urged the military government in Myanmar to respect the fundamental political rights of all people in the country and to release all political prisoners so they can take part in democratic activities.

It called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League Democracy, who has been under house arrest for more than 10 years.

It said for the political process to be 'inclusive and credible, the government of Myanmar must respect fundamental political freedoms, release all political prisoners and detainees, allow the full participation of all political actors, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and take tangible and timely steps toward a genuine dialogue.'

The statement was read to the 15-nation council in an open meeting by British Ambassador John Sawers, the council president for May.

Myanmar is scheduled to hold a popular referendum on May 10 to approve a constitution and presidential elections in 2010, in which Suu Kyi would be barred by the government to take part on the ground that she was married to a Briton, who passed away while she was under detention.

After the adoption of the statement, Sawers told reporters that the democratic exercises in Myanmar are 'severely constrained' because of the lack of popular debate on the draft constitution, the subject of the referendum on May 10.

'The conditions for free and fair elections are not yet in place,' Sawers said. 'It's a real concern for my government.'

The council also reaffirmed its strong support for the UN secretary general's good offices mission to mediate the political crisis in Myanmar. UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari has visited the Southeast Asian nation three times since September, 2007, to try to convince the government to carry out democratic reform.