Myanmar rebuffs Asean call to free Aung San Suu Kyi, questions need for envoy

Myanmar's military-backed government has rejected the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) call for the unconditional release of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The government also dismissed the need for ASEAN's special envoy on Myanmar, according to the foreign affairs ministry. President Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power in 2021, has been seeking political legitimacy and to resume relations with ASEAN. ASEAN had proposed a peace plan in April 2021, to be facilitated by a special envoy, but Min Aung Hlaing has been barred from top meetings for non-compliance. Recently, a representative from the International Committee of the Red Cross visited Suu Kyi, who is serving a sentence under house arrest on charges her supporters deem politically motivated.

Myanmar's military-backed government has rejected ASEAN's call for the unconditional release of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and questioned the need for the organization's special envoy. The government stated that Suu Kyi's release would only proceed according to law, despite recent humanitarian considerations allowing a Red Cross visit. Myanmar's foreign ministry criticized ASEAN's renewed demands, asserting that the current government, which emerged from elections, has assumed state responsibility. While agreeing to continue working with the current ASEAN special envoy, the government indicated it does not see the need for the role when Singapore takes over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027. This stance comes as Myanmar's leader, Min Aung Hlaing, seeks political legitimacy following the 2021 coup and has previously dismissed ASEAN's peace plan.