By Caribbean News Global 
CANADA / USA – The UN’s top human rights official on Monday condemned the imprisonment of Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi by a military-controlled court, and called for her release on additional charges of corruption and electoral fraud, said: “The conviction of the State Counsellor following a sham trial in secretive proceedings before a military-controlled court is nothing but politically-motivated,” she said. “It is not only about arbitrary denial of her freedom – it closes yet another door to political dialogue,” the UN rights chief said in a statement.
In New York, UN Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said that the Secretary-General António Guterres:
“Reiterates his condemnation of the military takeover on 1 February and repeats the call for an immediate end to the violence and repression, for the respect for human rights, and for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Myanmar. As you know, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the principles of equality before the law, the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal., and all of the guarantees necessary for a person’s defence”.
Mélanie Joly, minister of foreign affairs, said:
“Canada condemns the convictions of Myanmar’s detained, democratically elected civilian leadership, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and president Win Myint. Today’s convictions follow trials that met no standard of impartiality and are emblematic of the regime’s blatant disregard for human rights and judicial independence.
Judicial independence is fundamental to the rule of law and essential for any democratic and accountable government.
Canada is deeply concerned over recent events in Myanmar, including the regime’s use of lethal force against unarmed and peaceful protestors and civilians, as well as its ongoing arrests and detentions of protestors, politicians, civilians, civil society activists, journalists and pro-democracy leaders. Over the past few days, these events have led to several deaths, injuries and detentions by military forces.
Canada calls for the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including political prisoners, as well as the immediate cessation of violence. Canada also calls for the utmost restraint to be exercised by all parties.
“Canada reiterates its full support for the ongoing efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy, in close cooperation with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General.”
On the conviction of Aung San Suu Ky, US Departmnrt of State, said:
“The Burmese military regime’s unjust conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi and the repression of other democratically elected officials are yet further affronts to democracy and justice in Burma. The regime’s continued disregard for the rule of law and its widespread use of violence against the Burmese people underscore the urgency of restoring Burma’s path to democracy.
“We urge the regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all those unjustly detained, including other democratically elected officials. We reiterate our call for the regime to engage in constructive dialogue with all parties to seek a peaceful resolution in the interest of the people, as agreed to in the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. We join the people of Burma in their aspirations for freedom and democracy and call on the regime to end the use of violence, respect the will of the people, and restore Burma’s democratic transition.”
