By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

RANGOON, Burma-The trial of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has once again brought attention to the military junta controlling Burma. Human rights activists call the trial a sham and cite it as a chance to bring attention to the rights violations occurring under the current government.

Suu Kyi is facing an additional five years in detention for violating the terms of her house arrest. Suu Kyi was arrested for the violations when she allowed a trespasser to remain in her home overnight when he was too weak to leave. Many in the international community have called the trial a sham, including United States President Barack Obama who called the charges “spurious.”

International observers claim that the charges are meant to keep Suu Kyi out of the upcoming elections. Suu Kyi is the Secretary General of Burma’s National League for Democracy and is one of the most vocal critics of Burma’s ruling military junta. If Suu Kyi is in detention at the time of the elections she will not be allowed to play any role in process. Critics say this is the real reason behind the trial.

Many countries and human rights groups have asked the military junta to stop the trial and release Suu Kyi along with the estimated 2,000 other political prisoners being held by the Burmese government. Observers say that the military junta could gain political legitimacy if they allowed her to play a role in the upcoming elections. Human rights activist claim the trial and persecution of the Nobel Peace Prize winner is another example of the long line of human rights violations committed under the watch of the ruling military junta. The junta’s spokesman Major-General Aye Myint stated that the trial “is not political…it’s not a human rights issue, so we don’t accept pressure from abroad.”

For more information, please see:

Voice of America – Injustice In Burma – 29 May 2009

Washington Post – What the U.N. Can’t Ignore in Burma – 1 June 2009

Guardian – The EU must start squeezing Burma – 1 June 2009