EU condemns jail sentence for Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Ky

BRUSSELS

The European Union on Monday denounced Myanmar’s coup regime giving jail sentences to State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and other high-ranking officials.

“The European Union strongly condemns this politically motivated verdict, which constitutes another major setback for democracy in Myanmar since the military coup” this February, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement released on behalf of the bloc.

According to Borrell, the sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and U Myo Aung, mayor of the capital Naypyidaw, represents “another step towards the dismantling of the rule of law and a further blatant violation of human rights in Myanmar.”

Repeating his previous calls, Borrell urged the military junta to unconditionally and immediately release all political prisoners and those detained since the coup.

Borrell also said since the coup, the people of Myanmar have “overwhelmingly rejected the military coup and demonstrated their unwavering desire for a nation in which the rule of law, human rights and democratic processes,” but the military continues to ignore this.

He reiterated full support for UN special envoys and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair seeking an inclusive political dialogue in Myanmar.

A military court in Naypyidaw on Monday convicted Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's deposed leader, to four years in prison for violating coronavirus restrictions and incitement.

On Feb. 1, Myanmar's military junta seized power after allegations of fraud in the November 2020 general elections and political tension in the country.

The army arrested leaders and officials of the ruling National League for Democracy party, including de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and declared a one-year state of emergency.

According to the Myanmar-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), more than 1,100 people have been killed and over 9,000 demonstrators arrested in the military’s brutal crackdown on mass protests and rebellion against their rule.