The United Nations’ top human rights official has condemned Myanmar’s military junta for creating a “human rights catastrophe”, as ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi prepares to stand trial on charges that could see her imprisoned for life.
Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the military leadership was “singularly responsible for this crisis, and must be held to account”. Her statement came ahead of Suu Kyi’s scheduled court appearance in Naypyidaw on Monday, where she faces a raft of allegations including breaching coronavirus restrictions, inciting public unrest, violating telecommunications and import laws, and breaking the Official Secrets Act.
On Thursday, state media announced further charges, accusing Suu Kyi of accepting $600,000 in cash and 11.4kg of gold in bribes, and misusing her authority to rent land. Her defence lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, said if she were convicted on all counts and sentenced consecutively, she “will not be released in a lifetime”. He described Suu Kyi as “well composed” and “as determined as ever”, despite being held incommunicado with only limited access to her legal team.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power in February, sparking mass protests that were met with lethal force. The UN reports that more than 108,000 people have fled their homes in Kayah state alone, while the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) says at least 861 people have been killed by the junta and nearly 4,800 are detained. Grassroots defence groups have formed to resist military attacks, often with homemade weapons, and some have allied with long-standing armed insurgent groups.
Independent analyst David Mathieson said the charges against Suu Kyi were a clear attempt by the military to justify the coup and discredit her. “It’s really just to send the message that she was a traitor, corrupt… I don’t think too many people are going to believe it, because look who it is coming from,” he said.
