Show trial

The global financial crisis will be at the top of the agenda of the Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers' (ASEM) meeting in Hanoi on Monday and Tuesday, but the human rights situation in Burma is still likely to steal the headlines.

The European Union is mulling over tougher sanctions against the Burmese military junta because of Suu Kyi's trial, which started on Monday, May 18.

The junta initiated proceedings against the Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, claiming she had breached the conditions of her house arrest when an American man swam a lake to make an uninvited visit in her home.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband called the proceedings against Suu Kyi a "show trial."

"We need to make sure that the Burmese regime understands fully the risks that it's taking," he said.

Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said the issue would be discussed at the ASEM conference in Hanoi. Burma is expected to attend the meeting.

What will the neighbors say?

EU ministers said it was the duty of Burma's neighbors to put political pressure on the regime.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Burma, has described the Suu Kyi trial as threatening the regime's "honor and credibility" and repeated calls for her release.

ASEAN, however, has a policy of non-interference and is unlikely to back its words with actions.

According to China, Burma should be left alone to handle its internal affairs.

If found guilty, Suu Kyi could be jailed for up to five years. Critics say the trial aims to silence the charismatic leader of the National League for Democracy until after elections, due to be held in 2010.

Suu Kyi has been detained for more than 13 of the past 19 years, most of them at her home in Rangoon.

ch/Reuters/AFP

Editor: Toma Tasovac