History
Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar's Enduring Symbol
A look at Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and central figure in Myanmar's struggle for democracy, from her rise to her ongoing detention.
What is it?
Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese politician, diplomat, and author who became a global icon for her nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights in Myanmar. The daughter of the nation's independence hero, General Aung San, she co-founded the National League for Democracy (NLD) in 1988. In 1991, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts. She spent a total of 15 years under house arrest between 1989 and 2010, becoming one of the world's most prominent political prisoners. From 2016 to 2021, she held the title of State Counsellor, making her the de facto leader of Myanmar's government.
Why is it trending?
Aung San Suu Kyi remains a key figure in the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar. On February 1, 2021, the Tatmadaw (Myanmar's military) staged a coup, arresting her and other democratically elected leaders of the NLD. The coup, which the military justified by alleging widespread fraud in the November 2020 general election, abruptly ended the country's fragile transition to democracy. This event plunged the nation into a civil war. Recently, in April 2024, it was reported that she was moved from prison to house arrest due to a severe heatwave. Her son, Kim Aris, has also made recent appeals for her release, keeping her situation in the international spotlight.
How does it affect people?
Aung San Suu Kyi's decades-long struggle has had a profound impact on the people of Myanmar, symbolizing hope for a democratic future. Her party's landslide victory in the 2015 elections was a landmark moment for the country. However, her time in power was also marked by international criticism over her government's handling of the Rohingya crisis. The 2021 coup and her subsequent detention sparked widespread protests and a civil disobedience movement across Myanmar, which the military met with brutal violence. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and the economy in ruins. Her continued detention represents the suppression of democracy and human rights for the people of Myanmar.