Suu Kyi speaks by phone with son Kim Aris for first time in over five years
In short
Aung San Suu Kyi, 81, who remains detained in Myanmar, spoke by phone on 22 October with her second son Kim Aris, who lives in Britain. The military-backed government said the call lasted 20 minutes; Aris wrote that he could not put into words what it meant to hear his mother's voice again, and called for her release.
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Aung San Suu Kyi, 81, who remains detained in Myanmar, spoke by phone on 22 October with her second son, Kim Aris, who lives in Britain. Aris disclosed the call on social media, and the military-backed government also announced it. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
A spokesperson for the military-backed government said the call lasted 20 minutes. Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun reported that, according to the government, it was made through the Myanmar embassy in London, and Asahi said the government posted a photo of the two apparently taken during the call. Nikkei said the Myanmar presidential office spokesperson announced the call together with a photo of both. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
Aris wrote that he had finally been able to speak with his mother after more than five years, and that hearing her voice again was beyond words. Mainichi Shimbun reported the gap as about 5 years 9 months, saying they last spoke a few days before the February 2021 coup. Tokyo Shimbun said he wrote on Facebook. [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Aris also said that having spoken once did not mean she was free. According to Mainichi, he urged the international community not to let the military-backed government use the call as a bargaining chip for diplomatic recognition or sanctions relief, and to keep seeking accountability and the immediate, unconditional release of all political prisoners. TBS reported that he said she is still unjustly detained and is not allowed visits from family. [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]
Suu Kyi was detained after the military coup in 2021. Tokyo Shimbun said the military seized full power and detained her, then State Counsellor and foreign minister. Yomiuri said she was jailed, and that after the military-backed government took office in April this year she was moved to house arrest in a designated residence. Nikkei and Yomiuri said it appears to be the first time since the coup that she has been allowed to speak with family. [ 3 , 4 , 7 ]
Mainichi noted that on 19 October the government announced it had handed Suu Kyi two books and letters sent by King Charles, and released photos. The content of the conversation was not disclosed, and Aris's statement gave no details of her health or how the contact came about. TBS said the government likely aims to show the world its legitimacy by presenting improved treatment of her. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The call appears to be the first time Suu Kyi has spoken with family since the 2021 coup. Aris urged the international community not to let the military-backed government use it as a bargaining chip for diplomatic recognition or sanctions relief, while a Japanese outlet said the government may be seeking to show improved treatment of her to gain legitimacy abroad.
Key facts
- Aung San Suu Kyi spoke by phone on 22 October with her second son, Kim Aris, who lives in Britain. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- The military-backed government's spokesperson said the call lasted 20 minutes. [ 1 , 6 , 7 ]
- Asahi and Yomiuri reported that the government said the call was made through the Myanmar embassy in London. [ 6 , 7 ]
- Aris wrote that it was the first time in more than five years that he had spoken with his mother; Mainichi put the gap at about 5 years 9 months. [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Aris said that having spoken once does not mean she is free, and he called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. [ 2 ]
- Suu Kyi is held under house arrest in a designated residence after being detained in the 2021 coup. [ 1 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Suu Kyi and Kim Aris spoke by phone on 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- The military-backed government's spokesperson said the call lasted 20 minutes, and the government also released a photo of the two. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
- Aris posted on social media that it was his first conversation with his mother in more than five years and that hearing her voice again was beyond words. [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Aris called for Suu Kyi's release and for the government not to be allowed to use her as a tool for diplomatic recognition or sanctions relief. [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- What was said during the call. TBS, Mainichi and Tokyo Shimbun each say the content of the conversation was not disclosed.
- Suu Kyi's health and how the call came about. Mainichi said Aris's statement did not disclose her health or how the contact was arranged.
- Whether this was the first family contact since the coup. Nikkei and Yomiuri say it appears to be the first; Asahi states it as the first conversation since her detention.
- Why the military-backed government announced the call. TBS NEWS DIG said the government likely aims to show improved treatment of her and win legitimacy abroad, and a Tokyo Shimbun headline asks whether it is a pose; these are the outlets' assessments, not government statements.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TBS NEWS DIG reported that Suu Kyi had spoken by phone with her second son in Britain. [ 1 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun reported Aris's statement that he had spoken with his mother for the first time in about 5 years 9 months. [ 2 ]
- Nikkei reported that the Myanmar presidential office spokesperson had announced the call with a photo of the two. [ 3 ]
- Asahi Shimbun reported that the government said the call took place in the afternoon of 22 October, for 20 minutes through the embassy in London. [ 6 ]