Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, was driven at high speed to Yangon’s Insein prison from her lakeside compound early Thursday and was later charged with violating the terms of her detention after the intrusion of an American man earlier this month.

The American, identified as a 53 year old John William Yettaw, had swum to Aung San Suu Kyi’s compound, where she has been held for the past six years. Yettaw was arrested by authorities after he swam away from the house on May 5. He remains in detention in Yangon.

Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), has spent 13 of the past 19 years under house arrest in her campaign to press for political reform in military-ruled Myanmar, also known as Burma.

A pretext to extend detention?

Her current detention order is due to expire this month. Human rights activists fear the military will use the episode to extend Suu Kyi’s detention as part of efforts to prevent her from taking part in general elections due to take place in 2010. The NLD won a landslide election victory in 1990, but it was never recognized by the military.

Soe Aung, a member of the Forum for Democracy in Burma, expects many Burmese will be angered by the regime’s moves to continue to keep her isolated.

"It is ridiculously obvious that they are trying to keep her under detention with these charges to take her away from any political events in the country", he says.

The intrusion by the American came amid reports that Aung San Suu Kyi was ill and had been receiving treatment at home. As her personal physician was also arrested, concerns remain for Suu Kyi’s health.

Debbie Stothardt, a spokesperson for the rights group Alternative ASEAN Network, says: "Basically, the military regime is trying to find any excuse possible to justify detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and separating her from the general public. The regime is using his visit as an excuse to say that Aung San Suu Kyi broke some law in having an unauthorized visitor."

Stothardt warns the latest action by the regime may further fuel rising discontent in Myanmar amidst a downturn of the economy and rising unemployment, as many ethnic Burmese are being forced to return home from working overseas due to the global recession.

No hope for political reform

Sunai Pasuk, Thailand-based representative for Human Rights Watch, says the international community needs to put pressure on the regime for political reform ahead of the elections. Sunai says Suu Kyi’s court appearance also undermines the view held by some countries that engagement with the military would lead to reform:

"This is just showing the true face of the regime one more time: that they are ruthless. Burma is not transforming anywhere. Burma is degrading further into a pariah state in the hands of military dictators and there is no hope."

Suu Kyi could face a jail sentence of up to five years, if found guilty.

Author: Ron Corben (Bangkok)
Editor: Thomas Bärthlein