EU calls for 'unrestricted freedom' for Aung San Suu Kyi

(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission called for the "unrestricted freedom" of Aung San Suu Kyi after she was released Saturday, and demanded the military junta free Myanmar's other political prisoners.

"It is now crucial that Aung San Suu Kyi has unrestricted freedom of movement and speech and can participate fully in her country's political process," European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said.

"I also call for the unconditional release of all other citizens detained for their political convictions," he said in a statement welcoming the democracy icon's release from her latest stretch of house arrest.

"This is the only way to ensure that the Myanmar elections of 7 November are the start of a real transition to democracy," he said. The election was the first in Myanmar in 20 years and has been dismissed as a sham.

The president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, also called for Suu Kyi's release to be "without any conditions" and for the ruling regime to end human rights abuses.

"Releasing Aung San Suu Kyi must be seen as an important first step towards political change," Buzek added in a statement.

"The abuses by the military regime in Burma/Myanmar have to be stopped. Human rights and democracy have to be embraced," he said, calling for "genuine dialogue, for real change".

Buzek said the European Parliament reiterated its support for a UN inquiry into crimes against humanity committed by Myanmar's military regime.

Suu Kyi has spent most of the past two decades under house arrest.