[JURIST] Pro-democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi [JURIST news archive] on Thursday urged [statement] the international community to support Myanmar [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive] in its attempt to build a stronger democracy and uphold the rule of law. In her speech at the 101st International Labour Conference by the International Labour Organization (ILO) [official website], a specialized agency of the UN, Suu Kyi said that her country is in need of international investment and other aid that will strengthen the democratization efforts of Myanmar by promoting social and economic progress. She also added that her party, the National League of Democracy (NLD) [party website], has “repeatedly emphasized the need for rule of law and an end to ethnic conflict in our country and unless these basic requirements are met, the foundation for healthy, social, political and economic growth cannot be laid down.” The resolution [text, PDF] adopted under article 33 of the ILO Constitution [text] by the 101st Session to secure compliance by Myanmar is a positive step toward this goal, according to Suu Kyi. The May 30-June 14 ILC lifted its restrictions on the country’s full participation in its activities and decided to assess the progress on the elimination of forced labor in the country next year. She also called future potential investors to work together to share profits between the investors and Myanmar’s citizens.

Last December, the government of Myanmar announced [JURIST report] that it would allow the NLD to register for 2012 elections. Suu Kyi’s party decided to reenter the political forum in November after boycotting 2010 elections in which Suu Kyi was banned from running. The Myanmar Police Force released [JURIST report] Suu Kyi in November 2010 from her almost eight years house arrest. The country became a civil system from its 20-year military regime after holding its first elections in March. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official profile] welcomed the release of hundreds of political prisoners in October of last year while calling [JURIST reports] the country to free the remaining prisoners as well. A month earlier Myanmar formed [JURIST report] the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) to promote and safeguard the country’s constitutional rights.