A Nobel Peace Prize winner as a nemesis is most definitely not a military-ruled government’s cup of tea. Yet, Aung San Suu Kyi has tirelessly fought for democracy in her homeland of Myanmar, also referred to as Burma, in the hopes to find freedom for its people.
Myanmar is ruled by a military junta, although they wish to not be referred to like this as it demonstrates they have seized power over government and a small group of military officers’ rule, which is in fact the case here. In 2015 though, in the first election in 25 years, the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, was victorious. Despite her still being unable to become president, she was widely seen as a de facto leader but her close aid, Win Myint, stood, “officially” in her place. Even in 2020, the NLD continued winning the majority gaining even more votes than in 2015. However, the 2021 coup was able to overthrow the promising new and forward-thinking government and now Ms Suu Kyi faces 11 charges made by the, still mighty, military power.
With the military government back in control, Ms Suu Kyi, along with her fellow senior leaders were arrested. Her charges are election fraud, state secret acts, incitement (which accuses her of provoking unlawful behaviour or provoking this behaviour in others) and breaking coronavirus protocols. While the military states that this move was necessary, monitors who observed polls, citizens of Myanmar and international outlets have made it clear this is purely a politically motivated conviction.
This isn’t Ms Suu Kyi’s first time being stifled by the government and arrested. In 1989 she was placed under house arrest for wanting free elections and peaceful democratic reform. This house arrest lasted for six years until she was released in July 1995, then arrested again in September 2000 and released in May 2002.
Her chargers this time around were originally going to sentence her to four years in jail, although now this sentence has been halved to two years due to a partial pardon. Presently, the military has withheld information on where exactly Ms Suu Kyi is being detained and where her sentence would be carried out.
While her sentencing was predictable by many, as a way to halt her political career and keep her busy while the military regains power, they may not be as successful as they hoped by extracting her from the equation. While a peaceful democratic government was the goal, a shadow self-proclaimed government has emerged looking for a more violent way to overthrow the overbearing military government. Many protestors, some armed, have created a peoples war and there are fears that a civil war could break out.
While Ms Aung San Suu Kyi already has a reduced sentence, with nine other charges awaiting her to be convicted, there are fears she may have her freedom completely stripped away from her forever. With nothing to be expected out of such a broken system, we can only sit and hope that some justice for a better Myanmar will emerge.
