Detained Myanmar Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Speaks to Son After Six-Year Silence

The military junta in Myanmar has permitted a direct phone connection between former state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and her eldest son, Kim Aris.

The conversation occurred on Thursday and lasted approximately 20 minutes. It marks the first time the pair have spoken since the 2021 coup d'état removed Suu Kyi’s elected government from power.

Kim Aris, a 49-year-old carpenter residing in London, confirmed his mother’s status during a telephone interview with NPR. He stated that her initial words were a query regarding his health. Aris described her condition as stable, noting that hearing her voice provided reassurance to the family.

Suu Kyi, who is 81 years old, faces a total prison term of 33 years following multiple trials in 2021 and 2022. The charges, which include corruption and electoral fraud, have been criticized by Western nations and human rights organizations as fabricated. Her sentence was subsequently reduced, leaving 18 years remaining on her term.

Khaing Khaing Soe, a spokesperson for the military-backed presidency, announced the call on social media. He indicated that Myanmar’s Embassy in London facilitated the communication and posted individual photographs of both parties.

Aris learned during the call that his mother is detained at a residence near the capital, Naypyidaw. He believes the site is fenced and guarded by police and military personnel. He described the location as having a scrubby garden that she likely uses, characterizing her situation as solitary confinement despite the lack of a prison cell. He noted that while she reads books, she appears to lack access to news media such as radio, television, or newspapers.

Health concerns remain a priority for the Aris family. Aris reported that Suu Kyi sounded strong but suffers from severe tendonitis in her hand, which sometimes renders it unusable. She receives medical checkups every six months. Aris plans to send a care package containing a mix of healthy food and treats, including cookies from a brand founded in Oxford, England.

The family believes the military monitored the conversation, leading to an avoidance of sensitive topics like the ongoing civil war. Aris views the call as a strategic move by the junta to improve its international image as President Min Aung Hlaing travels abroad. He warned that global governments should not be deceived by the gesture.

The conflict that followed the coup has resulted in approximately 100,000 deaths, according to the monitoring group ACLED. The United Nations reports that millions have been displaced. Min Aung Hlaing remains under U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, including the treatment of Rohingya Muslims, which Washington has labeled a genocide.

Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the exiled National Unity Government, stated that the regime hesitates to release Suu Kyi because her strength would bolster the revolution. Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group described her as a valuable bargaining chip for the military. The U.S. State Department urged the military to hold genuine dialogue with opposition groups and called for Suu Kyi’s immediate and unconditional release in August.

Aris said the call might be a one-time event. He noted that his mother believes she provides strength to the Burmese people by enduring her detention with them.