Mizzima
The Suu Foundation has renewed calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who turned 80 on 19?June, amid growing concern for her health and safety following a reported injury sustained during a powerful earthquake.
According to a statement issued by the foundation, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s left arm was injured during the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the prison where she is being held on 28?March. She has reportedly not been allowed to meet with either her family or legal team since her detention began in 2021.
“We are deeply concerned about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s health. The United Nations has made a special appeal for her release,” said Jean Todt, President of the Suu Foundation, and Dr. Michael Marett-Crosby, the organization’s CEO.
The foundation emphasized that her continued detention, especially at her advanced age and under reportedly harsh conditions, poses a serious threat to her life. Her lawyers, François Zimeray and Catalina De La Sota, warned: “There is real fear that she may die in prison while the world looks the other way. Given her age and the secrecy surrounding her detention since 2021, we are extremely worried about her well-being and the reported injury.”
On 25?May 2022, the law firm Zimeray & Finelle submitted her case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, citing serious concerns over her illegal arrest and continued isolation.
The Suu Foundation’s statement also condemned the military junta’s actions since the 2021 coup, including the arrests of President U Win Myint, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, thousands of National League for Democracy (NLD) members, civil servants, and journalists. The statement pointed to the regime’s increasing violence, mass arrests, and disregard for democratic norms as evidence of the dismantling of Myanmar’s democratic path.
In addition to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s case, the foundation and her legal team highlighted that over 100 civilians have been sentenced to death since the coup. They urged the international community to intensify pressure on the regime to uphold fundamental human rights and restore civilian rule.
The Suu Foundation marked her 80th birthday by framing her release as a vital step toward peace, justice, and national reconciliation in Myanmar.
