Kim Aris, the son of Myanmar's imprisoned former leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has voiced a harrowing fear: he may not even be informed if his mother dies due to her deteriorating health. In a stark revelation, Aris confirmed he has had no direct contact with his 80-year-old mother since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021.
Years of Isolation and Failing Health
In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Aris detailed the complete communication blackout. He has not seen or spoken to his mother in years and relies solely on sporadic, second-hand updates about her serious health conditions, which include heart, bone, and gum problems. "She's got ongoing health issues. Nobody has seen her in over two years. She hasn't been allowed contact with her legal team, never mind her family," Aris stated. The situation is so dire that he admitted, "For all I know, she could be dead already."
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently serving a cumulative 27-year prison sentence on a multitude of charges, including incitement, corruption, and election fraud, all of which she has consistently denied. Aris believes she is being held in the capital, Naypyitaw. The last time he heard from her was via a letter two years ago, where she described enduring extreme summer heat and winter cold in her prison cell.
A Plea for Pressure Amidst Military's Election Plan
Myanmar remains engulfed in violent conflict and political chaos following the 2021 coup. Against this backdrop, the military junta plans to hold elections later this month, a move widely condemned by the international community as a sham designed to legitimise its rule. Aris sees this period as a critical, albeit narrow, window to advocate for his mother.
"Because of the upcoming elections that the military are trying to stage, which we all know are completely unfair… I need to use this small window of opportunity," he explained. He is actively urging foreign governments, including Japan, to intensify pressure on the junta and spotlight his mother's plight.
A Glimmer of Hope for Release or Transfer
While dismissing the credibility of the upcoming polls, Aris speculated that the junta might consider using his mother for political appeasement. "I imagine (junta leader) Min Aung Hlaing has his own agenda when it comes to my mother. If he does want to use her to try and appease the general population before or after the elections by either releasing her or moving her to house arrest, then at least that would be something," he added.
He also reflected on how the international community's perception of Suu Kyi has shifted, particularly after the Rakhine crisis, making it easier for world leaders to overlook the ongoing tragedy in Myanmar. Despite the personal difficulty, Aris emphasised he is compelled to act out of familial duty. "I think she'd be incredibly sad that I've had to do this. She's always wanted me to not have to get involved. But I don't really have a choice at the moment. I am her son after all. And if I'm not doing it, I can't expect anybody else to do it," he said, underscoring the personal weight of his public advocacy.
