Aung San Suu Kyi is the most well-known symbol of democracy and human rights in Myanmar. She has spent decades fighting against the military dictatorship that runs the country and advocating for democracy, human rights, and the freedom of speech. Despite her efforts, she has faced numerous obstacles and setbacks, and her actions have had limited impact on the political landscape of Myanmar. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what happened to Aung San Suu Kyi.
Background of Democracy Activism
Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of Aung San, the founder of independent Burma (now Myanmar). She began her involvement in politics after the military took control of the government in 1988 and began clamping down on democracy movements. She quickly emerged as a leader in the pro-democracy movement, advocating for peace and drastically increased civil rights. In 1991, Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent struggle on behalf of democracy.
Attempts at Negotiations
At first, the military regime seemed to respond to Suu Kyi’s calls for peaceful negotiations and compromise. However, despite their initial efforts, the regime consistently refused to honor the results of democratic elections in the country, and curtailed her freedoms. Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest multiple times, her message to the public heavily censored and all actions of the pro-democracy movement discouraged and suppressed.
Arbitrary Arrests, Detentions and Convictions
In 2009, the military regime sentenced Suu Kyi to three years under house arrest after finding her guilty of violating her restrictions of movement. This was later extended to five years. During this period she faced multiple arbitrary arrests and detainment.
In 2011, the National League for Democracy (NLD) was finally allowed to contest the election, and Suu Kyi was released from house arrest after the triumphant victory of her party in the parliamentary elections. After her release, she became a party leader in the Parliament and continued to advocate for peace and democracy as the party’s leader.
The Formation of a Government and the Rohingya Muslim Crisis
In 2015 Suu Kyi and the NLD formed the government after being elected to power with a comfortable majority in the Parliament. Even though Suu Kyi was not elected president due to her children being foreign citizens, she still held considerable power as she was appointed foreign minister and state counselor later the same year.
Things quickly became difficult, however, as the Rohingya Muslim crisis created a huge challenge for the new government. The military launched an aggressive campaign against the minority Muslim population in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, driving hundreds of thousands of refugees into Bangladesh. The military claimed it was protecting the country from terrorists, however international organizations and the United Nations both concluded the military was—and is—committing genocide against the Rohingya people.
Suu Kyi’s Human Rights Record
With her own background in human rights advocacy, this was an incredibly difficult situation for Aung San Suu Kyi. From 2017 onward, she increasingly resorted to using strong rhetoric to defend the military and accused international organizations of unfair bias. This raised questions regarding Suu Kyi’s commitment to democracy and human rights. Her silence on the military’s actions has been widely condemned by international organizations and human rights watchdogs.
Crackdown on Livestreamers and the 2020 Coup
In late 2019, Suu Kyi’s government began a crackdown on high-profile activists, including a number of livestreamers who used social media to document the military’s atrocities. Following this, major protests broke out across the country in opposition to military rule.
These protests intensified in 2021 as the military seized control of the state and placed Suu Kyi under arrest. This marked the end of the two-year democratic rule and the return of military rule in the country. Not long after, the military declared a state of emergency, appointed a commander-in-chief and promised to hold elections in 12 months.
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently under house arrest. Her whereabouts and status are unknown, and the military has refused to provide any information about her condition.
The Future of Democracy in Myanmar
The current situation in Myanmar is dire. The return of military rule has dashed any hopes of a lasting democracy. The future of Aung San Suu Kyi is now uncertain. Despite her decades of dedication to the pursuit of true democracy, the people of Myanmar now face a long and uncertain road ahead.
The ultimate goal is to restore civilian control over the government and to ensure that the country’s constitution is respected. However, given the current situation, this will not be easy. International pressure must be applied to the military to end their oppressive rule.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s struggle for democracy, peace and human rights in Myanmar has been long and arduous. Her decades of activism have had an immense impact on the direction of the country, and her passion and dedication are a reminder of what it means to fight for what you believe in.
Though she has faced numerous setbacks, her journey and her message remain an inspiration to people around the world. The hope is that through collective efforts, her message can be heard and democracy restored to her country.
This article only provides a brief overview of what happened to Aung San Suu Kyi and the overall situation in Myanmar. Her story is one of courage and dedication, and her example will continually inspire those who fight for freedom and justice.
