National League for Democracy
No. 97/b, West Shwegonding Street
Bahan Township, Rangoon
August 3, 2009
Statement – 23/07/09
Final argument was submitted to the Rangoon's North District Court on 24th July, 2009 regarding the charge against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy.
In this final argument, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's view on the charge was presented as follows:
"The Court will pronounce on the innocence or guilt of a few individuals. The verdict itself will constitute a judgment on the whole of law, justice and constitutionalism in our country.
On both occasion of trespass into the grounds of my house, the one on which this present case is constructed as well as the one which took place on 30 November 2008, I acted without malice simply with intent to ensure that one concerned should suffer any adverse consequences.
An approach that placed a premium on discernment and a sense of responsibility, rather than on imputation, would have accorded with the concept of laws as the guardian of security and harmony in civilized societies.
The charges moved against me can not be assessed correctly or adequately without enquiry into the legality of the process by which I was confined to house arrest for more than five years. Throughout my lawyers have been scrupulous in their efforts to procure due-process which is critical to the rule of law. Equally critical is the principle that justice must not only be done but seen to be done, clearly and unequivocally.
This lawsuit has brought to light anomalies in the interpretation and application of constitutional provisions and further, raised questions about the validity of the constitution itself. Thus it is germane to the very conception and character of government and the right of citizens.
As I plead 'not guilty' to the charges before this court, I would also plead the cause of the rule of law, flawless in its impartiality of justice, irreproachable in wisdom and benevolence, and of constitutionalism as a bulwark of lawsuit and just governance."
As per the decision of the joint meeting of Central Executive Committee and Central Legal Aid Committee,
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon
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