NZ Govt calls for Aung San Suu Kyi's release

New Zealand has doubts Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will get a fair trial and wants her immediate release, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today.

Mr McCully last week condemned the arrest of the opposition leader, who has been under home detention for many years and is now standing trial for alleged breaches of detention conditions.

Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbours have expressed grave concern over the trial. Myanmar was formerly called Burma, the name New Zealand still recognised.

Mr McCully said that despite widespread condemnation, and calls for the immediate release of Suu Kyi, the regime was continuing with the trial.

"The Burmese government needs to listen to the international community, end the trial and free Aung San Suu Kyi," he said.

"New Zealand will continue to speak out on this issue. At a regional meeting in Thailand earlier this week we voiced concerns again and called on the Burmese regime to make genuine efforts to restore democracy."

- NZPA