NLD blasts junta’s transfer of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest as political deception

The junta’s announcement that it has transferred State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to an undisclosed location for house arrest is merely a political deception, the Central Work Committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD), her political party, stated on May 3.

Among the unjustly detained leaders, the junta released President U Win Myint under an amnesty on April 17 and announced on April 30 that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would be placed under house arrest. The NLD warned that these moves do not represent politically positive steps.

The far-reaching adverse impacts on security and socio-economic conditions across the region and the wider international community, stemming from Myanmar's internal political crisis, are solely the consequence of the military’s unlawful and violent seizure of power, the NLD pointed out.

Reports of sentence reductions or transfers concerning arbitrarily detained political prisoners neither constitute credible evidence of meaningful transition and remedy/reconciliation nor are sufficient to be regarded as genuine steps within a political process leading to remedy/reconciliation and transition, according to the Central Work Committee’s statement.

“These actions must be understood as purely performative measures by military leader Min Aung Hlaing, aimed at manufacturing political legitimacy through a sham electoral process. The international community, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is therefore strongly advised to refrain from premature engagement, so as to avoid inadvertently pushing Myanmar further into a prolonged and deepening cycle of conflict,” the statement said.

“In light of the continued detention of thousands of individuals imprisoned for their political beliefs and aspirations for democracy, the National League for Democracy firmly maintains that Myanmar remains far removed from any genuine path toward a truly free and democratic transition,” the NLD’s statement added.

The NLD expressed its sincere appreciation to the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) and to regional and global nations for their consistent and repeated calls for the release of political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The NLD also appreciated China’s position, as it has continued to closely monitor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's situation and has demonstrated its role as a longstanding friend.

The NLD further expressed its deep appreciation to Myanmar citizens, both inside the country and abroad, who continue to advocate tirelessly for the release of political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It also urged everyone to continue these efforts until full and unconditional freedom is achieved.

“To friendly nations that have made, or are considering making, investments in Myanmar during this period of multifaceted crisis, we respectfully emphasize that only governments legitimately elected by the people through free and fair elections can fully safeguard foreign investments in accordance with the rule of law and guarantee the realization of shared interests,” the NLD suggested.

Reuters reported that her lawyers were planning to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 3, but in reality, some news agencies said, citing a member of the legal team, that they were not allowed to do so.

European Union (EU) has reiterated its call for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's unconditional release, to ensure her physical and mental well-being, and to grant her family and lawyers access to her.