Myanmar Says Suu Kyi Received Books and Letters From King Charles, Releases Photo
In short
Myanmar's pro-military government said on the 19th that two books and two envelopes from Britain's King Charles were handed to detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 81. It also released a photo that appears to show the handover. Japanese outlets said the government appears to want to show she is being treated better.
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Myanmar's pro-military government said on the 19th that detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 81, had been given two books and two envelopes sent by King Charles of Britain. Asahi and Jiji reported that Interior Ministry staff handed the items to her, and Jiji attributed the account to the presidential office spokesperson. Kyodo described the envelopes as two letters. [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 ]
The government also released a photo that appears to show the handover. Asahi said Suu Kyi was wearing light green clothes and sitting on a wooden chair, facing two men in white shirts who appeared to be staff, and speaking while looking at them. Kyodo said she appeared calm. TBS said the spokesperson posted the news and the photo on social media, and both Asahi and TBS called it unusual for such a scene or such items to be made public. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Asahi said the books appeared to be in English and gave one title as "The Land Gardeners: Soil to Table"; it said the contents of the envelopes were not explained. Mainichi said the gifts were a book on the link between soil and food and a catalogue of a soil-themed exhibition held in London, and that the reason for sending the book and the content of the letters had not been made known. [ 4 , 9 ]
Suu Kyi's younger son, Kim Aris, who lives in Britain, told JNN that kind acts must not be used to divert attention from human rights violations against his mother. He said he hoped the King's warm consideration would prompt world leaders to recognise again that her situation remains unresolved. TBS also reported that the spokesperson first called her a "special prisoner" and later corrected this to "prisoner". [ 6 ]
Kyodo said the government appears to intend to claim improved treatment of Suu Kyi with an eye to leaving international isolation. Jiji likewise said the government appears to be aiming to show better treatment by publicising the handover with a photo. [ 3 , 7 ]
The military detained Suu Kyi in its 2021 coup. Min Aung Hlaing, the former military commander-in-chief, became president in April. The government said her custody moved from prison to house arrest, but Kyodo said she has not been allowed to meet even lawyers and Jiji said no family visits have taken place. Jiji and Mainichi said the previous release of a recent photo was in August, when she met representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross. [ 3 , 7 , 9 ]
Mainichi said Suu Kyi was sentenced to 33 years in total, and that about 18 years of her term remained at the end of April after pardons and other reductions. It said King Charles knew her late husband, the British researcher Michael Aris, and met Suu Kyi in 2012 and 2017 while he was crown prince, planting a magnolia sapling with her at an official residence in London in 2012. [ 9 ]
Why it matters
Outlets including Kyodo and Jiji said the government appears to be seeking to present improved treatment of Suu Kyi, with Kyodo linking this to a wish to escape international isolation. Her son Kim Aris said the gesture must not be used to distract from human rights violations against his mother.
Key facts
- Myanmar's pro-military government announced on the 19th that two books and two envelopes from King Charles had been delivered to Aung San Suu Kyi. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
- It released a photo that appears to show the handover; Asahi and Jiji said Interior Ministry staff handed over the items. [ 4 , 7 ]
- Asahi gave one book title as "The Land Gardeners: Soil to Table" and said the contents of the envelopes were not described. [ 4 ]
- Mainichi said the gifts were a book on the link between soil and food and a catalogue of a soil-themed exhibition held in London, and that the content of the letters was not disclosed. [ 9 ]
- The previous release of a recent photo of Suu Kyi was in August, when she met representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross. [ 7 , 9 ]
- Suu Kyi has been held since the 2021 military coup and has been moved from prison to house arrest; Kyodo said she has not been allowed to meet even lawyers, and Jiji said no family visits have taken place. [ 3 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Myanmar's pro-military government said that two books and two envelopes or letters from King Charles were delivered to Suu Kyi on the 19th. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
- The government released a photo that appears to show the handover, and Interior Ministry staff were said to have handed over the items. [ 4 , 7 , 9 ]
- Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to a designated residence, and family visits have not taken place. [ 3 , 7 , 9 ]
- Her younger son, Kim Aris, lives in Britain and has been appealing for her release. [ 3 , 7 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- What the envelopes or letters contain. Asahi said the content of the envelopes was not explained, and Mainichi said the content of the letters was not disclosed.
- Why the books were sent. Mainichi said the background to the gift was not made known.
- Whether the items were letters or envelopes. Kyodo reported two letters, Asahi reported two envelopes including a diplomatic envelope, and Jiji reported envelopes including a diplomatic letter.
- Where Suu Kyi is held. TBS said she is under house arrest at a designated residence in Naypyitaw, while Mainichi said the specific location has not been made public.
- Whether the spokesperson called her a "special prisoner" before correcting it to "prisoner". Only TBS reported this.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nikkei reported the presidential office's announcement and the release of photos. [ 1 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun published the Kyodo report on the letters and books. [ 3 ]
- NHK reported the government's announcement. [ 5 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reported the announcement and Kim Aris's comments. [ 6 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun reported the announcement and the nature of the gifts. [ 9 ]