Aung San Suu Kyi Calls Son After Six Years

Kim Aris, a 49-year-old carpenter living in London, spoke by phone with his mother, Aung San Suu Kyi, on Thursday. The 20-minute conversation marked the first direct contact between the former Myanmar leader and her son since the military coup of 2021. Aris told NPR that his mother’s opening question concerned his health, and he shared the family's love in return. He described the call as a reassurance that his mother is alive and well.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 81, faces a total sentence of 33 years after consecutive trials in 2021 and 2022. The charges, which included corruption and electoral fraud, have been widely condemned by the United States, Western allies, and human rights groups as fabricated. Her sentence was later reduced, leaving her with 18 years remaining to serve. Khaing Khaing Soe, a spokesperson for Myanmar's military-backed president, confirmed on social media that the call was arranged through the Myanmar Embassy in London. He also shared separate photographs of the two.

Aris learned during the call that his mother is held at a residence near the capital, Naypyidaw. He believes police and military personnel surround the building, which is fenced off and features a scrubby garden where she can spend time. He characterized her situation as solitary confinement, noting that while she can read books, she likely lacks access to news via radio, television, or newspapers. Her health remains a primary concern for the family. Aris said she sounded strong but suffers from considerable pain due to tendonitis in her hand, a condition that sometimes prevents her from using it. She told him she receives medical checkups every six months.

The family is preparing a care package that includes a mix of healthy food and treats, as requested by Suu Kyi. Aris is considering sending Ben's Cookies, a brand founded in Oxford, England. The city holds personal significance for the family, as it is where Suu Kyi raised her sons with her late husband, British scholar Michael Aris, before they moved to Burma in 1988 to care for her ailing mother.

The military context of the call suggests careful monitoring. Aris believes sensitive topics, such as the ongoing civil war, were avoided during the conversation. He drew parallels to the 1989 to 2010 period of house arrest in Yangon, when the regime photographed parcels sent to her for propaganda use. He views the recent call as an effort to improve the military's image, particularly as coup leader Min Aung Hlaing travels abroad seeking legitimacy. Min Aung Hlaing was installed as president following a military-engineered election in January. Aris expressed hope that foreign governments would not be misled by the gesture.

The coup triggered a civil war that has killed approximately 100,000 people, according to the monitoring group ACLED. The United Nations reports that millions have been displaced. ACLED notes that the military has intensified attacks on civilians since Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency, even as regional governments increase diplomatic engagement. He remains under U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, including the 2016-2017 killings and expulsions of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, an event Washington has declared a genocide. Suu Kyi's international standing took a hit in 2019 when she defended Myanmar against those allegations at the International Court of Justice, though she remains popular within the country.

Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the exiled National Unity Government, stated that the regime dares not release Suu Kyi because her strength would bolster the revolution. Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group described her status as the most valuable card Min Aung Hlaing holds, warning she could become a bargaining chip while airstrikes continue. He called her release very unlikely and noted it would not end the war by itself. The U.S. State Department expressed concern for those unjustly detained and urged the military to engage in genuine dialogue with opposition groups. In August, the bureau called for Suu Kyi's immediate and unconditional release. Aris said the call may be a one-off event, and his mother believes sharing their experience gives the people of Burma strength.