Myanmar Archbishop Urges Aung San Suu Kyi's Release

JAKARTA - Myanmar Archbishop Cardinal Charles Maung Bo urged the Myanmar military to release State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other detainees as soon as possible.

This was said by the Archbishop of Myanmar in an official message addressed to all Myanmar people, including the military and the international community.

In the message, the Archbishop of Myanmar asked the Myanmar military to respect the rights of detained leaders, in accordance with the promise of democracy said by the military.

"You (the military) promised democracy, you can start by releasing them. The world will understand you”, he said, quoted from The Irrawaddy.

In the message, the Archbishop of Myanmar also talked about the issue of democratic elections promised by the Myanmar military. According to him, the people of Myanmar are tired of empty promises and will never accept false promises

“How are you going to earn the trust of our people? They will believe only when words are balanced with sincere actions”, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo concluded.

He stressed that military leaders must understand the sadness and disappointment of the people and urged the Tatmadaw, the Myanmar military, not to commit violence against the people.

"Once again I plead with you, treat them with dignity and peace", he said.

This message was issued by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, upon receiving the arrival of the Military Commander of the Yangon Region at the official residence of the Archbishop of Myanmar in the center of Yangon City. There were no details of the 15-minute meeting.