Aung San Suu Kyi Meets ICRC as Myanmar Seeks to 'Approach' ASEAN
Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday (3/8). The meeting was one of the first published contacts between Suu Kyi and an outside party since the military overthrew her government in February 2021.
Myanmar’s military-backed government announced the meeting and released four photographs showing Suu Kyi meeting the ICRC’s permanent representative to Myanmar, Arnaud de Baecque, in the capital Naypyidaw.
The meeting took place days before Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing was scheduled to visit Thailand, his first trip to the country since taking office as president.
What is known about the meeting?
Two photographs show Suu Kyi shaking hands and speaking with Arnaud de Baecque in a sparsely furnished room. The Myanmar government did not disclose the content of their discussion.
Two other photographs show Suu Kyi cutting a pink birthday cake at a location believed to be her residence, with clothing racks and storage boxes visible in the background.
The words “Happy Birthday Aunty Suu” on the cake suggest the photographs were possibly taken during her 81st birthday in June.
The timing and location of the photographs could not be independently verified. However, according to AFP, there was no indication that the photographs had been fabricated.
Why has this meeting attracted attention?
Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since the 2021 military coup. Her whereabouts and state of health have been difficult to confirm. She is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence on a number of charges that her supporters consider politically motivated.
At the end of April, after Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president in a controversial ceremony, the Myanmar government said Suu Kyi’s sentence had been reduced by one-sixth as part of a prisoner amnesty programme. She was also moved from prison to house arrest.
Nevertheless, the Myanmar government continues to reject most requests for access to Suu Kyi. In May, a request by the Philippines, on behalf of ASEAN, to visit her was turned down.
Suu Kyi’s youngest son, Kim Aris, who lives in London, has also led an online campaign together with Myanmar democracy activists demanding proof that his mother is alive and in good health. He said he has not heard from her for years.
Last December, Myanmar’s junta (a group that governs a country after seizing power by force) stated that Suu Kyi was “in good health”.
Linked to Myanmar’s efforts to court ASEAN
Suu Kyi’s meeting with the ICRC took place ahead of Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Thailand. Since becoming president in April, he has travelled to India, China and Laos as part of efforts to repair Myanmar’s diplomatic relations.
Independent Myanmar analyst David Mathieson said Myanmar is seeking to be accepted once again by ASEAN, but with the motive of boosting the status of Min Aung Hlaing’s government.
“He wants to be seen as a responsible ASEAN member, but at the same time he rejects the ASEAN five-point consensus,” said Mathieson, describing the stance as an example of “zero-sum logic”.
Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow welcomed the meeting between Suu Kyi and the ICRC. He expressed hope that the Myanmar government would “take further positive steps towards lasting peace and stability in Myanmar”.
On the other hand, the group Justice For Myanmar criticised Thailand’s welcome for Min Aung Hlaing.
“Min Aung Hlaing should be held accountable for the crimes he has committed, not given false legitimacy,” the group said in a statement.
According to Reuters, the ICRC has so far not responded to requests for comment on the meeting.