“Proof of Life” campaign yet to receive response from the junta

The “Proof of Life” campaign, demanding proof of the health and life of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has now reached three months. The campaign, officially announced by the “All In One Piece Movement” group on April 21, has now reached 90 days. This movement is led by Ko Htin Lin (alias Kim Eric), the son of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and is actively participated in by Myanmar people and revolutionary organizations both domestically and abroad. The military junta has kept Daw Aung San Suu Kyi incommunicado for a long time, not allowing her to meet with her lawyers. Therefore, through this campaign, they are demanding proof that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health and alive. Nine days after the campaign began, on April 30, the civilian-led military junta-controlled Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) announced on the evening of April 30 that the State Counsellor had been transferred from Naypyidaw Prison to a designated residence. The announcement included only a dated photograph, showing a person in military uniform and a person in police uniform sitting with their backs to the camera, along with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. After the photograph was released, there was analysis as to whether the photograph was genuine, and public interest grew as to when it was taken. However, the public was not satisfied with just this one photograph. Therefore, the public continues to demand that a video of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or other concrete evidence be presented. The Facebook page of the “Proof of Life” movement, “All In One Piece Movement,” was also attacked on April 26. Although the page was temporarily suspended, the public's movement did not stop. Myanmar expatriates in countries such as Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom (London), Korea, and Japan have protested in front of their respective international embassies. Then, at a press conference held by the military junta on the afternoon of June 30, Daw Khine Khine Soe, spokesperson for the President's Office, said, “State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s health condition is very good. There are no problems. There are no difficulties. She is completely well. Regular medical examinations are also being conducted.” However, the public does not trust the statements of the military junta and continues to demand proof. At an informal meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 12, the military junta again spoke about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's health. After the meeting, ASEAN Special Envoy Ms. Lazaro said, “As far as I remember, regarding Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Myanmar Foreign Minister said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health. To use his exact words, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is like a relative, an elder sister to them. Therefore, he said that she would be well taken care of.” In a July 16 report by “Thai PBS,” Thai Foreign Minister Marit expressed hope that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would be allowed to meet with the ASEAN Special Envoy. However, at the June 30 press conference, junta spokesperson Dr. Khine Khine Soe stated, “Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being prosecuted and is serving a sentence according to the law for her crimes. Therefore, she cannot meet with international representatives like this. She may be allowed to meet after she has served her sentence. At present, she is serving a sentence, so she cannot be met.” Amidst these events, the public had hoped to see Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the Martyrs' Day ceremony on July 19. However, it did not happen as the public had hoped. Therefore, the “Proof of Life” campaign, which has not yet received a clear response from the military junta, will continue to gain strength.