United Nations, Sept 03: Voicing "deep concern" over reports that democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is on hunger strike, the United Nations Human Rights expert on Myanmar has called on Yangon to release her "immediately and unconditionally." the special rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human rights on the situation in Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, said he was "deeply disturbed" by the reports.

Stating that restrictions on information make it impossible to confirm this news, Pinheiro said he remains "gravely concerned" by the continued detention of Suu Kyi in an undisclosed location, as well as by the impact of her confinement on her safety and health. In a statement, he reiterated his earlier appeals to the Government of Myanmar to release Suu Kyi immediately and unconditionally, and underlined once again the government's responsibility for her protection and safety.

He also reiterated his demand that the government release without delay all other persons imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their views.

In July, Secretary-General Kofi Annan had met with Myanmar's deputy foreign minister and special envoy, U Khin Maung, at UN Headquarters in New York and expressed his "grave concern" about the welfare of Suu Kyi and other National League for Democracy leaders, who had been held incommunicado since May 30. "I remain convinced that the only way to build durable peace in Myanmar is to release the detainees, ensure their political freedoms, and begin substantive dialogue with Suu Kyi immediately," Annan had said then.

Bureau Report