Former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is experiencing serious health issues while in military custody, according to her son, Kim Aris. He has raised alarms about her worsening heart problems, describing her current situation as “cruel and life-threatening.” Suu Kyi, aged 80, has been detained since a military coup in February 2021 that ousted her government.
Aris, speaking from London, revealed that his mother requested to see a cardiologist about a month ago. He expressed concern that there has been no confirmation regarding whether her request was fulfilled. “Without proper medical examinations, it is impossible to know what state her heart is in,” he stated in a phone interview with Reuters. His growing worry extends beyond her heart condition; he also mentioned that she has been suffering from bone and gum issues and could have sustained injuries during an earthquake in March that claimed over 3,700 lives.
In a heartfelt appeal shared through a Facebook video, Aris called for the release of Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Myanmar. Despite his urgent pleas, attempts to reach a spokesperson for Myanmar’s military-backed interim government went unanswered, and the information ministry did not respond to inquiries.
The political landscape in Myanmar has been tumultuous since the military’s takeover. Following the coup, the country has witnessed widespread violence, with mass protests met with severe repression. Suu Kyi, a prominent figure in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, is currently serving a total of 27 years in prison for various charges, including incitement and corruption, all of which she has denied.
A significant part of the military’s justification for the coup was their claim of widespread electoral fraud in the 2020 election, which Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won by a landslide. Independent election monitors, however, found no evidence supporting these fraud allegations.
As tensions continue, the military-backed government has announced plans to hold new elections starting in late December 2023, marking the first polls since the coup. These elections will occur in multiple phases, but the legitimacy of the process remains in question amid ongoing calls for Suu Kyi’s release and the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.
The international community, including foreign governments and human rights organizations, has consistently advocated for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. As her health deteriorates, the urgency of these calls intensifies, raising concerns about her future and the state of democracy in Myanmar.
