Statement by New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Hélène Laverdière on historic elections in Myanmar

On behalf of the New Democratic Party, I would like to congratulate Nobel laureate and honorary Canadian citizen Aung San Suu Kyi on the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s historic by-election success, Sunday, in Myanmar.

This is a great step forward for the democratic process in Myanmar. Like Aung San Suu Kyi, we hope this will be the beginning of a new era for Myanmar, based on freedom and democracy.

The NLD’s by-election victories follow some positive political changes in recent months, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners. Nonetheless the government of Myanmar has much work to do in the area of human rights. New Democrats remain deeply concerned about reports of human rights abuses committed by the Myanmar armed forces, especially against ethnic minorities. Forced labour, torture, arbitrary arrests and imprisonment, denial of freedom of expression and association are a daily reality for the Burmese people.

We hope Burmese authorities will quickly recognize the results of this historic by-election and welcome Aung San Suu Kyi to the country’s parliament.

On behalf of Canada’s Official Opposition, I would like to offer my best wishes to the people of Myanmar and my congratulations to Aung San Suu Kyi.