Murray McCully

Wellington, May 15 NZPA - Foreign Minister Murray McCully today added New Zealand's voice to an international chorus of outrage over the treatment by Myanmar's government of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

The military junta has imprisoned the pro-democracy leader for breaching the terms of her house arrest after a United States man visited her lakeside house.

Aung San Suu Kyi goes on trial on Monday on the charges, which carry a jail term of up to five years and would stretch her detention past its supposed expiry date this month and through controversial elections due in 2010.

The 63-year-old would not be allowed to return home but would be held at a special house on the grounds of Insein Prison while proceedings were under way, her lawyer Kyi Win added.

Mr McCully said the treatment was unacceptable.

"The only thing Aung San Suu Kyi is guilty of is standing up for the rights of the Burmese people in the face of appalling repression," he said.

"This action is yet another setback for Burma, and throws more doubt over the credibility of the planned 2010 elections.

"The Burmese government must release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately, and take meaningful steps towards the restoration of democracy."

Several countries' leaders have expressed concern over the case and a group of eminent statesmen including Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson have condemned the charges.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday she was "deeply troubled" by the charges.

NZPA PAR AFP mt gt