ASEAN Chair welcomes Suu Kyi’s ICRC visit, demands release of all political prisoners

On Friday, the Philippines—the 2026 Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)—issued an official statement welcoming the Aug. 3 meeting in Naypyidaw between jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Resident Representative in Myanmar, Arnaud de Baecque.

While characterizing the Red Cross visit as a positive development toward inclusive national dialogue, ASEAN reiterated its call for her complete and unconditional release alongside all political detainees imprisoned since the 2021 military coup.