( CNN ) -- As news of the much-awaited release of Myanmar Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi reverberated throughout the world , activists and world leaders were seizing the opportunity to make a case for democracy and human rights in this besieged nation . Myanmar -- formerly known as Burma -- has been ruled by a Marxist military junta since 1962 . The military regime has cracked down on political dissidents , forcing thousands to flee . In a statement released Saturday , President Barack Obama called Suu Kyi a personal `` hero '' and called for the military regime to `` release all political prisoners , not just one . '' `` The United States looks forward to the day when all of Burma 's people are free from fear and persecution , '' Obama said in Saturday 's statement . Suu Kyi : ' I 'm very happy to see you again ' `` Following Aung San Suu Kyi 's powerful example , we recommit ourselves to remaining steadfast advocates of freedom and human rights for the Burmese people and accountability for those who continue to oppress them , '' he said . The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said while Suu Kyi 's release is a `` positive signal , '' Pillay urged the military regime to also release the remaining political prisoners still detained . `` I urge the authorities of Myanmar to now release the other 2,200 political prisoners as a clear sign that the new government intends to respect human rights and forge a new future for the country , '' she said . British Prime Minister David Cameron also said Suu Kyi was an `` inspiration '' and that the military regime must uphold its decision . `` Her detention was a travesty , designed only to silence the voice of the Burmese people , '' he said . European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called for the `` unconditional release '' of all detained dissidents and said Suu Kyi 's freedom should be unrestricted . `` This is the only way to ensure that the Myanmar elections of 7 November are the start of a real transition to democracy , '' Barroso said Saturday . Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said he was `` thrilled '' by news of Suu Kyi 's release . `` People who love freedom everywhere admire her and the long sacrifice she has made for her people , '' he said . `` In light of recent elections , I also hope that Aung San Suu Kyi 's release will lead to the rapid inclusion of her and the Burmese citizens in governance , '' he said . Former first lady Laura Bush and former President George Bush called for Suu Kyi 's release to be unconditional . `` We strongly support the aspirations of the Burmese people and their demands for basic human rights : freedom of speech , worship , and assembly , '' said Bush . In Asia , Australia 's Prime Minister Julia Gillard called Suu Kyi 's detention `` completely unjustified '' and said her government is lobbying for an opportunity to meet with her personally . `` Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd said the government was seeking an early opportunity to speak with Aung San Suu Kyi , to convey Australia 's support for her and her struggle for democracy in Burma , '' Gillard said . `` We will closely monitor her situation , including any restrictions imposed on her freedom of movement or association . Australia continues to call on the Burmese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the more than 2000 political prisoners still detained in Burma , '' she said . China 's official Xinhua news agency was less exuberant with words on Saturday . China has refrained from publicly pressuring Myanmar and has remained the Marxist regime 's closest ally since the military coup 20 years ago . India has also been criticized by the United States and others for not voicing opposition to the military junta . When India accorded a red-carpet welcome in July to the top leader of Myanmar 's military junta , there was little mention of human rights abuses allegedly taking place in Myanmar 's prisons , critics claimed . Human rights advocates and Suu Kyi followers overseas still expressed concerns not only for repercussions of her release , but the situation of the prisoners still incarcerated . Burma Campaign UK warned that her release should not be seen as the final return of democracy in Burma and also called for the release of prisoners . `` The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is about public relations , not democratic reform , '' said Zoya Phan , International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK in a statement released Saturday . `` I am thrilled to see our democracy leader free at last , but the release is not part of any political process , instead it is designed to get positive publicity for the dictatorship after the blatant rigging of elections on 7th November . We must not forget the thousands of other political prisoners still suffering in Burma 's jails . '' In Saturday 's statement , Phan and the Burma Campaign UK recalled previous incidents in which her release was widely broadcast but did not come through . `` It is the third time Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest , '' the statement said . `` The last time she was released , in 2002 , it was part of a U.N.-led initiative to try to persuade Burma 's dictatorship to enter into dialogue leading to a transition to democracy . However , when the time came for substantive discussions the dictatorship refused to continue the dialogue. ``
Obama : Suu Kyi is a personal `` hero '' Military junta should release remaining prisoners . Burma Campaign UK urges the world not to forget other prisoners .