“We pray that Aung San Suu Kyi and her country are now on a path to freedom”
– Desmond Tutu

After pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to parliament in Burma/Myanmar, The Elders welcome the positive reforms taking place and announce that Daw Suu Kyi will be stepping down as an honorary Elder, in line with the requirement that members of The Elders should not hold public office.

Following the release of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, The Elders repeat their call for all political prisoners in the country to be released and express concern about Burma's recent national elections, which were neither free nor fair.

The Elders express their solidarity with Burmese political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi and say that the elections planned for later this year cannot deliver credible results. The group calls for UN-led national dialogue between the government, opposition and ethnic and religious minorities.

As Aung San Suu Kyi is sentenced to a further 18 months under house arrest, The Elders condemn the verdict and urge the international community not to accept the results of this "illegal process."

The Elders call on the Burmese military regime to release their honorary Elder Aung San Suu Kyi and question the legitimacy of upcoming national elections in 2010.

The Elders express their solidarity with Burmese pro-democracy leader and honorary Elder Aung San Suu Kyi as Burma's military regime attempts to extend her imprisonment.