Letter to Aung San Suu Kyi for the peaceful political resolution of the crisis situation in the Northern Rakhine State

13 September 2017

H.E. Ms Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 
State Counsellor of Myanmar 
Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar 

Your Excellency Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, 

I am writing to you on behalf of the Board of Advisers of International IDEA. We recall your valuable contributions to International IDEA, through your engagement as a Member of International IDEA's Board since November 1995 and your continued cooperation with the Institute in the following years. We also recall that the Council of Member States in June 2003 appointed you an Honorary Member of International IDEA's Board, in recognition of your efforts and commitment to democratization in Myanmar. 

International IDEA was founded on the premise that democracy is essential for promoting and guaranteeing human rights, and the belief that strengthening democratic institutions and promoting democratic dialogue are conducive to peaceful conflict resolution. International IDEA has been active in Myanmar since 2012 to develop knowledge resources, support institutional strengthening and facilitate inclusive and informed dialogue about democratic reform options. International IDEA in Myanmar has developed strong partnerships with the Union Election Commission, the Parliament and civil society organisations. 

It is with a deep sense of collective concern and urgency that International IDEA's Board of Advisers has witnessed the developments in recent weeks in Northern Rakhine State and the ensuing loss of human life and displacement. We strongly encourage you in your capacity as State Counsellor of the Government of the Union of Myanmar to pursue every possible effort towards finding a peaceful political resolution to the crisis situation in the Northern Rakhine State, which upholds international human rights law and ensures the protection of civilians. We also urge the Government of the Union of Myanmar under your leadership to implement the recommendations made in the recent report of the advisory committee on Rakhine State established by yourself and chaired by Kofi Annan. Mr Annan is a long-standing partner to International IDEA as Ambassador for International IDEA's Global State of Democracy Report and through our collaboration in the Electoral Integrity Initiative. 

As fellow board members of International IDEA, we stand ready to offer our services to support Myanmar in its effort to find a peaceful resolution to the situation in Rakhine State. 

Yours sincerely, 

Dr Surin Pitsuwan 
Chair of the Board of Advisers
International IDEA