Amnesty demands Myanmar release Aung San Suu Kyi

Rights watchdog Amnesty International today demanded that military-ruled Myanmar release Aung San Suu Kyi, a day before authorities were expected to extend the democracy leader's house arrest for another year.

"The detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders wrongfully imprisoned in Myanmar is a travesty of justice," Catherine Baber, the group's Deputy Director for Asia, said in a statement.

"The Burmese authorities should take this opportunity to release all peaceful critics, and advance measures to allow political dialogue to take place without fear of recrimination."

Aung San Suu Kyi, Secretary General of the Opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), has been under house arrest since May 2003. She has spent more than 10 of the last 16 years in detention, her supporters say.

Her house arrest was last renewed for one year in November 2004, and a source close to the country's military said an official delegation will likely add another year during a visit with her tomorrow.

The expected extension of her detention will come just weeks before Myanmar resumes its national convention, where handpicked delegates are drafting a new constitution as part of the Junta's "road map" to democracy.

The international community has condemned the convention, which has been boycotted by the NLD, and Amnesty said that any constitution drafted without the opposition's input would be flawed.