Even in my short time in Malta, I know that if there is one thing that the Maltese value above everything else; it is democracy. Not only do the Maltese value their democratic status, they exercise their democratic rights fully and responsibly. But imagine participating in a democratic election, only to have the government not recognise the results, and then, put the democratically elected winner from the opposition under house arrest for years? This is what is happening in Burma.
Military governments have ruled Burma, one of the poorest countries in the world, since 1962. In 1990, national elections were held, and the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel Peace Laureate Ms Aung San Suu Kyi (pronounced 'Owng Sun Soo Chee'), won the elections. The government ignored the result. Instead, Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested as a political prisoner and has remained under house arrest. She has been detained for more than 13 of the last 19 years. The United Nations has declared her detention illegal.
On 27 May, Aung San Suu Kyi was due to be released from house arrest. Instead, she is on trial for violating the terms of her house arrest (unbeknownst to her, an American broke into her house - something which would normally imply "victim" not "accused" status), and she could face a prison term of up to five years.
June 19 was the 64th birthday of the imprisoned Burma leader. A website (www.64forSuu.org) was launched calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's release, with the backing of high-profile supporters including politicians and celebrities such as Gordon Brown, Madeleine Albright, Paul McCartney, David Beckham and Daniel Craig. I wholeheartedly encourage the Maltese people to show your support for democracy, and for Aung San Suu Kyi, and leave a message on the website.
The UK government remains deeply concerned at the lack of progress towards democracy and respect for human rights in Burma. Our Prime Minister said he was "deeply disturbed" by the charges and he accused the Burmese military government of seeking "any pretext, no matter how tenuous" to extend Aung San Suu Kyi's detention.
The international community has widely condemned Aung San Suu Kyi's arrest. We have strongly urged Burma's leaders to set the country on a path to stability and prosperity by releasing Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
The Burmese regime plans to hold an election in 2010; however, this decision has been condemned around the world as the process appears to entrench and legitimise military rule. If the 2010 elections are to have any semblance of credibility, Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma must be freed to participate. Only then will Burma be set on the road to real democracy, stability and prosperity.
The UK government will continue to work in the EU and in the UN to keep Burma high on the international agenda. We believe that now is the time for the international community to take action. On June 19, the European Council called for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and urged the Burmese regime to embark on a genuine transition to democracy, bringing peace and prosperity to its people.
The UN Secretary General's good offices mission remains our best hope for progress at this stage. Should Ban Ki-moon decide to visit Burma, he will have the UK's full support. His personal engagement will clearly be critical to breaking the deadlock.
The campaign to release Aung San Suu Kyi grows, as more than 100 former political prisoners have added their voice to the campaign, and are also calling for the United Nations Security Council to establish a global arms embargo on Burma. The clamour for her release keeps increasing. We must not stand by as she is silenced again. Now is the time for the international community to speak with one voice: Free Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ms Stanton is the British High Commissioner for Malta.