Suu Kyi Hears Son's Voice

Aung San Suu Kyi has spoken with her son, Kim Aris, for the first time since the Myanmar military seized power in 2021. The 20-minute phone conversation occurred on Thursday, marking the first direct contact between the former leader and her family in nearly six years. Aris, a 49-year-old carpenter residing in London, described the call to reporters as a moment of reassurance. He noted that his mother's initial question concerned his health, and he confirmed she is alive and well.

The 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate is currently serving an 18-year sentence after consecutive trials in 2021 and 2022. She was originally sentenced to 33 years on charges of corruption and electoral fraud, which Western nations and human rights groups have widely criticized as fabricated. A spokesperson for the military-backed president, Khaing Khaing Soe, stated on social media that the communication was arranged through the Myanmar Embassy in London. The spokesperson also released separate photographs of the pair to the public.

Aris learned during the call that his mother is held at a residence near Naypyidaw, the capital city. He believes the building is surrounded by police and military personnel and described it as fenced off with a small, nondescript garden. He characterized her situation as solitary confinement, noting that while she can read books, she appears to have no access to news via radio, television, or newspapers. Her health remains a concern for the family, as she suffers from tendonitis in her hand that sometimes prevents her from using it. She told Aris she receives health checkups every six months.

The son suspects the military monitored the conversation, which led to sensitive topics like the ongoing civil war being avoided. He compared the situation to his mother's house arrest in Yangon from 1989 to 2010, when the regime used images of her parcels for propaganda. Aris views the call as a potential attempt by the military to improve its image, particularly as coup leader Min Aung Hlaing travels abroad seeking legitimacy following his installation as president in January. He hopes international governments will not be deceived by this gesture.

The coup has triggered a civil war that has claimed approximately 100,000 lives, according to the monitoring group ACLED. The United Nations reports that millions have been displaced, and ACLED states that attacks on civilians have escalated since Hlaing took office. He remains under U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, including the 2016 and 2017 killings and expulsions of Rohingya Muslims, an event Washington has declared a genocide. Suu Kyi's international standing was affected in 2019 when she defended Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, though she remains popular domestically.

Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the exiled National Unity Government, believes the regime fears releasing Suu Kyi because her strength would bolster the revolution. Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group described her as a valuable card held by Hlaing, warning she could become a bargaining chip while airstrikes continue. He stated that her release is unlikely and would not end the war on its own. The U.S. State Department expressed concern over her detention and urged the military to engage in genuine dialogue. In August, the department called for her immediate and unconditional release. Aris believes the call may be a one-off event and says his mother believes her endurance gives the Burmese people strength.

Aris is considering sending a care package that includes a mix of healthy food and treats, potentially featuring Ben's Cookies from Oxford, England. This is where Suu Kyi raised her two sons with her late husband, Michael Aris, before moving to Myanmar in 1988 to care for her ailing mother. The family continues to wait for further signs of communication from the former leader.