YANGON, 20 June 2026 — Foreign embassies and rights groups marked Aung San Suu Kyi’s 81st birthday with fresh appeals for her immediate release, alongside all political prisoners still held by Myanmar’s military regime.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been detained since the coup of 1 February 2021, sentenced to 27 years and moved last month to an undisclosed location. She has been denied visits from family and lawyers, fuelling fears over her health and whereabouts.

The Australian, Canadian and Swiss embassies urged her release and demanded access to medical care, relatives and legal counsel. The EU and several European embassies posted tributes online, while the UK and Norway shared rose images — a symbol long associated with Suu Kyi.

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, representing lawmakers from across the region, signed an open letter pressing ASEAN governments to demand her freedom. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners echoed the call, warning that any political process excluding elected representatives “lacks legitimacy”.

Her son, Kim Aris, joined democratic groups in urging proof of life, noting she has not been seen publicly for weeks. Resistance forces and citizens marked her birthday with events in Yangon, Mandalay and other cities, despite the risk of surveillance and arrests.

The civilian National Unity Government also demanded her release, alongside an end to forced conscription and attacks on civilians. Observers say the regime’s removal of National League for Democracy signs from its Yangon headquarters days before her birthday was another symbolic blow against Myanmar’s ousted democratic leadership.

For supporters, Suu Kyi’s continued detention underscores the junta’s fear of her enduring influence — and the determination of allies at home and abroad to keep pressing for her freedom.

-2026-06-22

I think she has family in England. Yes, please release her to be with her family.

The junta is in control, time to go.