Aung San Suu Kyi appears in public after years of isolation, meets Red Cross official

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s former leader, has been seen in public after several years in isolation, during a meeting with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The meeting was held on Monday in Naypyidaw and was announced by the military-backed government. It was Suu Kyi’s first known public contact with a foreign official in several years.

Military authorities released a photograph showing the 81-year-old smiling and shaking hands with Arnaude de Baecque, the resident representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Myanmar.

Her public appearance comes after efforts by her son, Kim Aris, who has sought proof that his mother is alive, as well as information about her health. Since the 2021 coup, the authorities have kept Suu Kyi’s whereabouts and condition unknown.

The government also released two other photographs purportedly showing Suu Kyi celebrating her 81st birthday in June. However, the images have not been independently verified.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and one of the leading opposition figures to Myanmar’s military regime was arrested after the 2021 coup overthrew the civilian government she led. She is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence following a trial that international critics have described as political and unfair. The charges against her include violating COVID-19 restrictions, corruption and incitement against the military.

The meeting with the Red Cross representative comes at a time when international pressure on Myanmar’s military regime has intensified.

Southeast Asian countries have called for greater political engagement, while some have sought the opportunity to meet with Suu Kyi. At the same time, her son has said that he has still not received full assurances about his mother’s health and has called for greater transparency from the authorities.