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The leader of Myanmar’s banned pro-democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been released from house arrest following last week’s national elections.
After spending most of the past 10 years under house arrest, Suu Kyi is no doubt looking forward to going home.
The release of the unrepentant dissident shows that Myanmar’s house arrest system has become little more than a revolving door.
After all, this wasn’t her first offence. Suu Kyi has an extensive rap sheet, with convictions for receiving guests and winning the 1990 election.
What confidence can Suu Kyi’s victims have that the justice system will take them seriously next time they report a crime?
Senior General Than Shwe, 77, is one of the forgotten victims. While Ms Suu Kyi lived in her resort-style lakeside ‘prison’, Than Shwe lived every day with the international opprobrium she remorselessly inflicted on him.
That it won’t be long before Suu Kyi is picked up again for some other offence is scant comfort. Ordinary, decent members of the State Peace and Development Council like you and me shouldn’t have to live in fear. Whose country is this, ours or theirs?
