Statement by Minister Cannon on Upcoming Elections in Burma

Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement concerning Burma’s elections on November 7, 2010: “Canada is seriously concerned that the upcoming Burmese elections, scheduled for November 7, will be held under oppressive conditions. Canada has consistently expressed concerns about the lack of inclusiveness and transparency in Burma’s electoral process to date, examples of which include the promulgation of election laws that prevent legitimate democratic actors from participating, the ongoing detention of over 2,100 political prisoners, and the exclusion of international election observers and foreign journalists. On the eve of the election, we again call on the regime to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to commit to a genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition and the various ethnic minority groups within Burma.”