Former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has received a pardon on five of the charges brought against her by the military, resulting in a reduction of her 33-year jail sentence by six years. This pardon comes as part of a seasonal amnesty announced by the military junta, which has also granted a reduced sentence to former president Win Myint. This is the first time that these amnesties have included Ms. Suu Kyi and Mr. Myint.
The move by the military junta appears to be an effort to revive stalled diplomacy efforts. Last week, Ms. Suu Kyi was moved from prison to house arrest in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. The 78-year-old Nobel laureate has been detained by the military since February 2021 following the coup that ousted her. Since then, the country has plunged into a civil war, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.
The military junta has been accused of using disproportionate violence against those opposing its rule. Some countries, including China and Thailand, have initiated dialogue with the junta. However, these initiatives have drawn criticism for excluding Ms. Suu Kyi’s party, which had secured a significant majority in the 2020 elections. The military used allegations of election fraud as a justification for the coup.
Any negotiations or compromises with the international community would likely require the involvement of Ms. Suu Kyi. However, she has been kept isolated and her condition has been shrouded in secrecy for over two years. She is currently appealing the convictions for other offenses, which range from election fraud to corruption. These charges were brought against her in closed-door, military-run trials, which rights groups have condemned as a sham.
In a separate development, the military junta also announced the postponement of an election that was promised to be held by August this year. This delay comes two years after the military coup. The international community continues to monitor the situation in Myanmar, with hopes for a peaceful resolution and the restoration of democracy.
