US and ASEAN chair Philippines reiterate call for Myanmar to release Aung San Suu Kyi unconditionally

Myanmar's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and all political prisoners have been called upon once again by the United States and the ASEAN chair to be released unconditionally and immediately. Amid growing concerns about the health of the 81-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the military coup in 2021, she was able to meet with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on August 3. The United States and the Philippines, the ASEAN chair in 2026, welcomed this meeting by the ICRC and separately stated their hope that this would be the beginning of regular medical access and visits for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The ASEAN chair's statement called for increased access to meet those detained since February 2021, and for the unconditional release of all unjustly detained individuals, including Aung San Suu Kyi. The U.S. Department of State also made a similar call via X (formerly Twitter), stating that they hope this will be the beginning of regular access for other political prisoners and calling for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi. The United States has urged the Myanmar military to engage in dialogue to end the conflicts that have arisen since the coup. The ASEAN chair affirmed the role of the ASEAN Special Envoy in engaging with all stakeholders in Myanmar, in accordance with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. The statement expressed hope that the ASEAN Special Envoy would be granted permission to travel to Myanmar and be able to meet with all stakeholders, including Aung San Suu Kyi.