Kim Aris responds to ICRC visit to his incarcerated mother, Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi’s son has issued an official statement welcoming the report that the International Committee of the Red Cross has met with his mother. While welcoming this potentially positive development, Kim remains cautious and firm in his demand for actual transparency. As he notes in his statement, one reported meeting does not provide the independent verification his family has spent years campaigning for, nor does it substitute for direct family contact and her unconditional release. The following is the Statement by Kim Aris: I welcome reports that the International Committee of the Red Cross has met my mother, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. If confirmed, this would be the first positive development concerning her in more than five years. This may be a first step, but it must not be the last. I sincerely thank every government, parliamentarian, diplomat, international organisation, journalist, human rights advocate and supporter who has stood with my family throughout these difficult years. I am especially grateful to everyone who joined and amplified the Proof of Life campaign. The growing political pressure from ASEAN and governments around the world has helped keep my mother’s plight in the international spotlight. I am deeply grateful for those efforts, which must continue until there is transparency, family contact and freedom. While this news gives me hope, I remain cautious. I have not yet received independent confirmation of my mother’s condition or wellbeing. One reported meeting cannot answer the questions my family has lived with for more than five years. I hope this leads to further humanitarian progress, including direct contact with my mother, access for our family, credible and independently verified information about her wellbeing, and ultimately her immediate and unconditional release, together with all political prisoners. After more than five years of isolation, I also believe my mother would want to know what has happened to the people of Burma, and whether the many political prisoners who have suffered alongside her are safe and still alive. Today brings hope. Now the military regime must match that hope with truth, compassion and meaningful action. The post Kim Aris responds to ICRC visit to his incarcerated mother, Aung San Suu Kyi appeared first on ENG.MIZZIMA.COM.