The son of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former leader of Myanmar, has renewed his call for her release from detention. Kim Aris (also known as Htein Lin) hand-delivered a letter to Myanmar’s embassy in London addressed to Min Aung Hlaing, the country’s military leader, appealing for his mother’s freedom.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been held in detention since February 2021, following a military coup that ousted her democratically elected government and plunged Myanmar into political turmoil. Since her arrest, her location and health have remained shrouded in uncertainty, with limited contact allowed outside Myanmar. She has not met with any foreign leaders or envoys during her captivity.

In recent months, Mr. Aris launched a campaign demanding proof of life and calling for better treatment and eventual release of his mother. The campaign yielded a significant development in August when the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was permitted to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. The ICRC described the visit as conducted in accordance with its standards for visiting people deprived of liberty.

While Mr. Aris expressed relief at confirmation that his mother was alive, he emphasized that this was only a first step. He described her ongoing detention as tantamount to a death sentence given her age of 81, and has urged that she be granted direct and regular contact with family, respect for her basic human rights, and humane treatment. “My mother has lost enough years of her life,” he said, stressing his desire to see and speak with her again.

Aung San Suu Kyi is widely regarded as a symbol of democracy in Myanmar. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 during a prolonged period of house arrest. At the time, her son accepted the award on her behalf. Since the coup, her detention has been criticized internationally, with calls from human rights groups and governments for her immediate and unconditional release.

Despite photographs released by the Myanmar authorities suggesting she is in good health, Mr. Aris has expressed concern over the impact of solitary confinement on her mental and physical wellbeing over the past years. He has warned that international pressure should continue until her full freedom is secured.

The situation remains a focal point of attention amid ongoing instability in Myanmar. Campaigns appealing for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release continue to highlight her status as a figurehead for democracy and a symbol against military rule, underscoring the broader struggle for democratic governance in the country.