The military junta in Myanmar is facing renewed condemnation for its treatment of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is reportedly being held under severe solitary confinement conditions despite suffering from a serious heart condition.
Sources close to the 78-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate confirm she is being denied adequate medical care and is isolated from other prisoners at Naypyidaw Prison. Her extended periods of isolation are a significant cause for concern, given her fragile health and advanced age.
A Deteriorating State of Health
Ms. Suu Kyi's health has been a subject of intense worry for her supporters and international observers. She is known to suffer from gingivitis, dizziness, vomiting, and loss of appetite, compounding the risks posed by her pre-existing heart condition. The junta's refusal to grant consistent access to her personal doctor has exacerbated these health fears.
International Outcry and Diplomatic Pressure
The situation has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and foreign governments. There are growing calls for her immediate and unconditional release, with critics labelling her detention as not only politically motivated but also a clear violation of basic human rights and international norms regarding the treatment of political prisoners.
This treatment is seen as part of a broader crackdown by the military regime since it seized power in a February 2021 coup, overthrowing Ms. Suu Kyi's democratically elected government. The junta has consistently dismissed international concerns about her welfare.
A Symbol of Resistance
Aung San Suu Kyi remains a potent symbol of resistance and democracy for the people of Myanmar. Her continued imprisonment under such harsh conditions is a stark reminder of the regime's brutality and its disregard for both domestic dissent and global opinion.
