Aust should speak out on Burma poll

Australia should use its regional influence to press Burma for a free and fair election, Amnesty International says.

The country's ruling military junta has named the date for the first election in 20 years: November 7 this year.

Amnesty is concerned because the regime has detained 2200 political prisoners, including the leader of the main opposition party Aung San Suu Kyi. The prisoners are not allowed to contest the election.

Jenny Leong, Burma campaign coordinator for Amnesty International Australia, called on all world leaders to press Burma to hold a democratic poll.

"Obviously Australia is a key player in the region (and) has a specific role to play," she told AAP.

Ms Leong said Australia should use its influence over Burma's South-East Asian neighbours to encourage them to press for a free election.

Australia should call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and watch closely for any more crackdowns, she said.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has consistently raised concerns about Burma's government and about the prospects for a free and fair election.

Suu Kyi's party won a landslide majority in Burma's 1990 election, the result of which was not honoured by the junta.

# posted by faburous @ 2:12 AM