Suu Kyi confirms solitary confinement to son

Kim Aris, a carpenter in London, heard his mother's voice on a Thursday phone call that lasted 20 minutes. It was the first direct communication between the two since the 2021 military coup ended her government's term. For Aris, the brief connection provided immediate physical proof that Aung San Suu Kyi is still alive after nearly six years of silence.

Aris described his mother's first words as a question about his health. He reported that she sounded strong, though she suffers from painful tendonitis in her hand that sometimes prevents her from using it. She told him she receives a health checkup every six months. The 81-year-old Nobel laureate is serving an 18-year sentence, a reduction from the original 33 years imposed on corruption and fraud charges that Western nations have called fabricated.

According to Aris, his mother is not in a standard prison cell. She is held in a residence near the capital, Naypyidaw. He described the location as fenced off with a scrubby garden that she likely uses for walks. Police and military personnel surround the building, effectively placing her in solitary confinement. She can read books, but Aris believes she lacks access to radio, television, or newspapers.

Khaing Khaing Soe, a spokesperson for Myanmar's military-backed president, confirmed the call was arranged through the Myanmar Embassy in London. The military shared separate photographs of Suu Kyi and her son on social media. Aris suspects the military monitored the conversation. He avoided sensitive topics like the ongoing civil war, a tactic he recalls from his mother's house arrest in Yangon between 1989 and 2010.

Aris views the call as a strategic move by the military. Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, who became president in January, is traveling abroad to seek legitimacy. Aris warned that international governments should not view the call as a sign of openness. He is considering sending a care package with a mix of healthy food and treats, possibly including cookies from a brand founded in Oxford where Suu Kyi raised her children before moving to Burma in 1988.

The coup sparked a civil war that has killed approximately 100,000 people, according to monitoring group ACLED. The U.N. reports millions have been displaced. The military has escalated attacks on civilians since Hlaing took office, even as regional governments engage diplomatically. Hlaing remains under U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, including the 2016-2017 expulsion of Rohingya Muslims.

Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the exiled National Unity Government, stated the regime dares not release Suu Kyi because her strength would aid the revolution. Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group called her status the most valuable card Hlaing holds. He warned she could become a bargaining chip while airstrikes continue. The U.S. State Department urged the military to hold genuine dialogue with opposition groups and demanded her immediate and unconditional release.

Aris believes the call may be a one-off event. His mother told him she believes her continued detention gives the people of Burma strength by sharing their suffering. The U.S. State Department said it remains concerned about those it considers unjustly detained. The military has not announced plans for further contact between the detained leader and her family.