2-8-2023 (YANGON) Reducing the jail term of Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is merely a tactic employed by the military junta to seek international recognition as the country’s legitimate government, according to Dr Yanghee Lee, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar. Lee stated that the move signals the military-controlled government is “really out of ideas and really at the end of the rope”. Lee’s comments came shortly after Suu Kyi was pardoned on five of the 19 offences for which she was convicted and sentenced to a total of 33 years, reducing her jail term by six years. Similarly, former president Win Myint, who was arrested at the same time as Suu Kyi after the 2021 coup, was also pardoned on some of the charges for which he was convicted.
The military junta has faced difficulty gaining control in Myanmar, with ongoing conflict across the country and rising inflation affecting the economy. On Monday, the military-controlled government extended the country’s state of emergency by another six months, delaying elections that were promised.
Dr Lee remarked that the pardon was “just another one of the schizophrenic behaviours of Min Aung Hlaing”, the junta chief, as the military returned to its decades-old playbook. Lee further said that the military junta does not have control over the country, with over 50% of the country under the control of local ethnic groups. The military junta aims to be recognised as the country’s legitimate government, particularly by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the UN General Assembly session that will take place later this year.
Dr Lee added that she was surprised by the international community’s response to the Myanmar crisis as compared to the war in Ukraine. She said the international community has been generous with aid for Ukraine, as it is seen as a “country-to-country invasion…and it’s in the backyard of the European continent”.
However, when it comes to Myanmar, Lee observed, “Min Aung Hlaing and the military have invaded its own people. It’s not just a coup.” Lee pointed out that the junta is employing the same tactics it had used against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017 when driving them away, which is to burn their villages, schools, and places of worship.
Regarding the impact of Suu Kyi’s pardon, Lee said, “I think the people of Myanmar have moved on. Aung San Suu Kyi is still very much respected. However, the fight now is the people’s fight (and) the young generation’s.” The young generation is fighting for a “free democratic federal Myanmar” that has existed since their parents’ time. Suu Kyi’s pardon may not affect the young people’s minds, Lee said, as they are fighting for their lives, to defend their family, country, and their hope and aspirations.
