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Video: Aung San Suu Kyi and Tony Abbott hold a joint press conference.(ABC News)
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Aung San Suu Kyi says justice should be tempered by mercy in the asylum seeker debate. (News Online Brisbane)
Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has offered her thoughts on Australia's asylum seeker debate, saying justice should be tempered by mercy.
Rohingya people from Myanmar have been among groups of asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat.
At a joint media conference with Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra this afternoon, Ms Suu Kyi was asked whether Australia owes the Rohingya protection.
"If there's rule of law in Australia then you must work within the framework of your law," she said.
"But I do believe justice should always be tempered by mercy."
Ms Suu Kyi is using her first visit to Australia to highlight the fight against HIV AIDS and Myanmar's path to democracy.
Mr Abbott has described her as an icon for democracy and says it is a great honour to meet her.
"I was an opposition leader myself for four years; I know that that position has some exhilarations and some frustrations," he said.
"Let's hope as time goes by the exhilarations are greater and the frustrations are lesser."
Ms Suu Kyi has emphasised that Myanmar, also known as Burma, is just starting on the road to democracy.
"We are not there yet as some people seem to assume we are," she said.
"There is a lot that still needs to be done, not the least of which is amendments to the constitution."
Earlier, Ms Suu Kyi appealed for Australia's support in her bid for the presidency and reform in Myanmar, in an address at the Lowy Institute.
Topics:
refugees,
immigration,
community-and-society,
government-and-politics,
world-politics,
australia,
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First posted
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/11/28/myanmar-opposition-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-says-mercy-important-in-asylum/
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