Myanmar military-backed government spokesperson announced that Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained former leader of Myanmar, met with a representative from the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday. The health and safety of this 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate have been a subject of concern for the public.
According to Reuters, the Myanmar government spokesperson Khine Khine Soe released a rare statement on Telegram, stating that Aung San Suu Kyi met with Arnaud de Baecque, the resident representative of the ICRC in Myanmar, in the capital city Naypyidaw, without disclosing the exact location of the meeting.
The International Committee of the Red Cross later confirmed that a representative had indeed met with Aung San Suu Kyi, but did not disclose the official’s name.
In four photos released by Khine Khine Soe, two show Aung San Suu Kyi wearing traditional Burmese attire, standing without assistance and shaking hands with de Baecque.
The meeting took place in a room with wooden walls, containing only a table and two chairs.
In another photo, Aung San Suu Kyi is seen cutting a birthday cake with her name on it, with a backdrop of a clothes rack and storage box.
The fourth photo is a close-up of the cake, which reads: “Happy Birthday Aunty Suu, June 19, 2026.”
Reuters was unable to independently verify the location and date of these photos.
The ICRC stated that the visit complied with standards and procedures regarding visits to individuals deprived of their liberty, including the opportunity for a private conversation with Aung San Suu Kyi.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s son, Kim Aris, expressed that he has not received independent verification regarding his mother’s health or safety status.
In a statement, he wrote, “This may be a first step, but it cannot be the last.”
He added, “I hope this will lead to further humanitarian progress, including direct contact with my mother, the right for our family to visit, credible and independently verified information on her health condition, and ultimately her immediate and unconditional release, along with all political prisoners.”
Aris disclosed to Reuters in December last year that he intermittently heard scattered information about his mother’s heart, bones, and dental issues, and has been unable to contact her for years, even worrying that she might pass away without his knowledge.
In the early hours of February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military launched a coup, overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, plunging the impoverished Southeast Asian country into turmoil. Since then, Aung San Suu Kyi has been under detention, with the public struggling to obtain accurate information about her exact whereabouts and health condition.
After a series of marathon secret trials, Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced by the military government to 33 years in prison on charges including corruption, incitement of election fraud, and violation of state secrets.
Supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi insist that these charges are politically motivated, aimed at marginalizing her politically – despite the fact that this Nobel Peace Prize winner is considered as Myanmar’s most popular political figure.
Members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s defense team stated that the sentence was later reduced from 33 to 27 years, and further reduced by one-sixth in April. Currently, the 81-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi is still required to serve 18 years in prison.
Facing mounting demands to allow an independent verification of Aung San Suu Kyi’s health condition, the Myanmar military-backed government continues to assert that she is in “good physical health.”
In late April this year, Myanmar authorities stated that Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention had been converted into house arrest following the election victory of the former military government leader Min Aung Hlaing. The legitimacy of this election has been questioned, with suspicions that it was manipulated by the Myanmar military.
After a meeting between Myanmar’s Foreign Minister and the foreign ministers of ASEAN countries in Bangkok last month, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow called for allowing visits to Aung San Suu Kyi “so we can verify” the claim that she is in good health.
However, the newly installed military-backed government has so far been unwilling to arrange meetings between foreign leaders and Aung San Suu Kyi, including a request from the Philippines in May to allow an ASEAN envoy to meet her.
As the daughter of Myanmar’s independence hero, General Aung San, during the previous military government’s rule, Aung San Suu Kyi was under house arrest at the family’s lakeside residence in Yangon for a total of 15 years. During this time, she spoke to supporters over the mansion’s metal gates, delivering impassioned speeches, becoming a widely-known historic image.