ASEAN parliamentarians call for unconditional release of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Mizzima

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, a group of 134 current and former parliamentarians from 11 countries, has called on ASEAN and its member states to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Myanmar’s detained civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and all political prisoners held by the military junta.

The lawmakers urged ASEAN leaders in an open letter dated 19 June to press Myanmar’s military authorities to release political detainees, provide independent access to verify Suu Kyi’s well-being, and advance an inclusive political dialogue in line with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.

The letter was signed by parliamentarians from Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

The lawmakers said concerns remained over the Nobel laureate’s condition after reports that she was transferred from prison to “house arrest” at an undisclosed location in Naypyidaw in April. They called for “proof of life” and unrestricted access for her family, legal counsel and an independent medical team.

More than 22,000 political prisoners remain detained in Myanmar following the military coup of 1 February 2021, while thousands have been killed in the ensuing conflict.