Myanmar: Conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi after sham trial must immediately be quashed

The conviction of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi today after an unfair process on trumped-up charges exposes the extent of the military’s control over the judiciary, said the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today.

‘These fake so-called trials are in complete violation of international standards for fair judicial processes. Myanmar’s military must immediately stop  these sham trials and stop the disgraceful persecution of Aung San Suu Kyi and hundreds of other political activists,’ said Mandira Sharma, ICJ’s Asia Senior Legal Advisor.

Aung San Suu Kyi already has been sentenced to two years  for incitement of public unrest against the military and violating Covid-19 restrictions earlier in October 2021. She faces several other charges, including corruption and sedition, that together could carry sentences of more than 100 years. Verdicts on some of these charges are yet to come.

Since the military usurped power illegally through the coup on 1 February 2020, people have been facing absurd charges and convicted either by the military-controlled courts or by the military court. Those facing charges have no possibilities to examine, challenge and verify evidence against them. Suu Kyi’s lawyers are muzzled speaking to the public, others have no access to lawyers at all.

Contact

Mandira Sharma, Senior International Legal Adviser, Tel: 977-9851048475, email: mandira.sharma@icj.org