Myanmar’s military-backed government has again rejected the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s call for the release of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi and dismissed the need for an ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar.
The statement came on Saturday, after the 11-nation Southeast Asian bloc renewed its call for the “unconditional release” of the 81-year-old leader, who was removed from power in the February 2021 coup and remains under house arrest in Naypyidaw.
On August 3, Aung San Suu Kyi was permitted to meet with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the military authorities released four photos of the meeting.
In an ASEAN Chair’s Statement dated August 7, ASEAN welcomed the meeting, describing it as “a positive step towards inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation,” but urged greater access to political detainees and reiterated its call for Suu Kyi’s “complete and unconditional release.” It also renewed its earlier request that current special envoy on Myanmar, Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, be allowed to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi on her next mission to the country.
In a statement on Saturday, Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the ASEAN Chair’s request, echoing the denial that it made to an earlier request from Lazaro in late June.
