Myanmar’s democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi celebrated her 81st birthday behind bars on June 19, but her real health condition remains unknown due to the military junta’s denial of any visits.
Groups such as the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the National Unity Government (NUG), and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) also took the opportunity to renew their appeal for the immediate release of Suu Kyi amid her current health condition.
CRPH, NUG, and NUCC argued that the family and supporters of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate remain concerned for her status since the military continues to hide her exact location and denies any visits to her.
The leader is currently facing the military’s 18-year sentence for alleged treason, corruption, and violation of Myanmar’s Telecommunications Law.
The groups also called on the military junta to provide “proof of life,” with Suu Kyi’s son Kim Aris admitting that he is not certain whether the democracy icon was still alive.
81 for 81 initiative
Kim Aris also launched the “81 for 81” challenge last week to mark the 81st birthday of his mother.
The global solidarity campaign urged the public to run 81 kilometres, cycle 81 miles, or walk 81,000 steps as part of Suu Kyi’s birthday celebration.
Kim Aris, who also promised to skateboard 81 kilometres for her mother’s special day, shared that the “81 for 81” challenge was meant to highlight the uncertainties regarding Suu Kyi’s health condition.
“The military junta claims to have moved her from one undisclosed location to another, but this is not freedom.”
“More than five years after the military coup, the world still has no independently verified proof that she is even alive,” he said, according to The Democratic Voice of Burma.
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Roses for Suu Kyi
Many countries also marked Suu Kyi’s 81st birthday by posting and sharing images of roses, a symbol associated with Myanmar’s jailed leader.
The Norwegian Embassy in Myanmar shared an image of roses and called for the fast release of the democracy leader.
The Australian, Canadian, and Swiss embassies in Yangon also issued a similar statement, urging the military junta to provide immediate medical care and legal counsel to Suu Kyi.
Meanwhile, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) released an open letter calling on the regional bloc to call for Suu Kyi’s immediate release and verify her current well-being.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners also supported APHR’s open letter, stressing that the global community should pressure the Myanmar military to provide updates regarding the Nobel laureate.
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Levi Mora 
KC Maderia 
Newsjustnews writers