Philippines Calls on Myanmar to Allow ASEAN Envoy Access to Suu Kyi

The Philippines has urged Myanmar to allow ASEAN’s special envoy to meet with detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The statement was made by the Philippines as it holds the chairmanship of ASEAN this year.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Myanmar should permit Aung San Suu Kyi to communicate with her family, demonstrating a genuine commitment to national reconciliation.

Allowing access for the special envoy would support engagement with all stakeholders and advance inclusive national dialogue, according to the statement. The Philippines also suggested these developments could be used to build momentum for political dialogue and reconciliation in Myanmar under the ASEAN peace framework known as the Five-Point Consensus.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained since her elected government was overthrown in a 2021 coup. She is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted of multiple offenses, which her allies claim were politically motivated. Her sentence was reduced by one-sixth last month as part of an amnesty for thousands of prisoners, including the release of former President Win Myint.